Allen Iverson, Kenyon Martin, Chauncey Billups and Stephen Jackson are among a group of retired NBA players who have committed to participating in a 3-on-3 basketball league called the BIG 3, founded by former rapper turned actor Ice Cube.
"When I got the call, it was a no-brainer. It's Ice ... you don't turn that down," Iverson said Wednesday at a news conference in New York to introduce the league. "That's success looking you right into your eyes. I just wanted to be a part of it and I hope that me being part of it makes it a success like everything he's been doing in his life."
Iverson, the 2001 NBA MVP, an 11-time All-Star and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member, retired after the 2010-2011 season. He said he's excited to play in front of a younger generation of fans.
"I'm going to put my effort into it to make sure it can be as big as ever," he said.
Ice Cube said he's been kicking the idea of the league around for a while, but the retirement of former Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant made him "want to kick it into high gear."
"I started writing notes down, putting concepts and thoughts down," Ice Cube said. "It's a great business opportunity, but as a fan, I'm just excited to see the guys that I know can play at a competitive level, and I'm happy that I have the right type of partners to be able to set the stage for that."
Among other players committed to play this summer are Rashard Lewis, Jermaine O'Neal, Jason Williams, Mike Bibby and Bonzi Wells.
Former National Basketball Players Association deputy director Roger Mason Jr. will serve as the league's commissioner and president.
Iverson will be a player-coach and former NBA stars Gary Payton and George Gervin have committed to serve as coaches for three of the league's eight teams.
Ex-professional players over the age of 30 will be eligible to play. Teams will consist of a player/captain and four teammates. There will even be a draft in March.
League play begins June 24 and ends Aug. 12, with games being played every Saturday in different cities. All teams will play games on each Saturday and players will receive 52 percent of league revenue.
"All I can see is this right now, and making sure that this works," Ice Cube said. "June 24 will be here quick. I've got my head down. I know other people probably want me to get back into my movies and stuff like that, but this is my baby right now."
For the love of Chicago
The Chicago Cubs will be the final professional sports team to celebrate a championship with President Obama at the White House before he leaves office. It turns out, the Cubs have decided to take Obama up on his offer to visit before Donald Trump is sworn in. The Cubs will visit Monday, four days before the inauguration.
After the Cubs won the World Series in November, Obama -- a White Sox fan from the south side of Chicago -- invited the Cubs to take part in the traditional presidential celebration earlier than normal. Usually, these visits happen during the baseball season.
"It's unclear which Cubs players and staff members will be able to make a mid-January jaunt to D.C. It's sure to be a little more complicated than during a regular-season road trip. But these are the things you do, apparently, for the love of Chicago," Mike Oz wrote for the Big League Stew.
Sports quiz
Which three National League teams have never won a World Series title?
Answer
The Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres and the Washington Nationals
Sports on 01/13/2017