The BIG3 League, co-founded by rapper Ice Cube, has grown in recent popularity over the level of professional talent on the court. Though its players boast varying levels of experience—from college to overseas and the NBA—Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown made history with the BIG3 over the weekend. Additionally, ex-NBA vet Jordan Crawford had a breakout performance to help his team clinch the BIG3 Championship.
NBA News: Jaylen Brown Makes BIG3 History, Jordan Crawford’s NBA Return?
Jaylen Brown: First Active NBA Player in BIG3
While many NBA players either played in Pro-Am tournaments or are playing in the FIBA World Cup, Celtics star Jaylen Brown chose the road less traveled. On Saturday, Brown became the first active NBA player to play in a BIG3 game, participating in the All-Star game in London. In a press release from BIG3, the league noted that Brown played to support the local charity London Youth, “which aims to support and improve the lives of London’s youth through their network of community organizations.” The statement added:
“Brown’s long-term focus and commitment off the court for his community work is evident, with his Bridge Program, a learning and leadership initiative to help cultivate the next generation of leaders in science and technology for young people from traditional marginalized minority communities, developed by his 7uice Foundation.”
Jaylen Brown is my hero. He’s making a humongous statement by being the first current NBA player to play in a BIG3 game. By suiting up for our All Star game tomorrow, he’s doing everything in his power to help the league succeed. Salute. Forever grateful…
— Ice Cube (@icecube) August 26, 2023
Brown recorded nine points, five rebounds and two assists for “Team Big” despite their 51-42 loss to “Team 3.” His laudable efforts speak to his continued service to the community and desire to use his platform to celebrate and elevate other endeavors.
Jordan Crawford: Fans Calling for NBA Contract After Championship Heroics
Jordan Crawford, who played in the NBA from 2011 to 2018, led Enemies to their first BIG3 championship. He tallied 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting as the Enemies beat Triplets—led by fellow ex-NBA vet Joe Johnson—50-43.
Jordan Crawford walks it off.
The Enemies win @thebig3 title! pic.twitter.com/eewB2Ix0cS— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) August 26, 2023
The 34-year-old Crawford, a former All-American at Xavier University, was drafted 27th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in 2010. After averaging 4.2 points over 16 games, he was traded to the Washington Wizards, where he averaged 16.3 points per game on .390/.238./885 splits. After three seasons, he was traded to the Boston Celtics in 2014, where he continued serving as a steady rotational guard for two seasons. Crawford was then traded to the Golden State Warriors, where he spent the rest of the 2013-14 season before playing in the G League (previously the D League) the following year.
Crawford also began his international career in 2014, playing in the Chinese Basketball Association for two seasons. He signed with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2016 and spent two years with the franchise. Crawford then resumed his international career, playing in France, Russia, Germany and Turkey from 2019 to 2021. He returned to the G League for the 2021-22 season, tallying 18 points and eight assists in a game for the Long Island Nets.
Crawford excelled in his second BIG3 season. He averaged 19.3 points (third in the league), 6.1 rebounds and two assists per game. Since his championship performance, fans have clamored for his return to the NBA, and rightfully so.
Jordan Crawford need that training camp deal asap.
— Big Beluv’d (@HD_Ish36) August 26, 2023
Jordan Crawford should be in the NBA.
— Jone (@heeljone) August 28, 2023
Jordan Crawford gotta be In somebody training camp… he’s a veteran bucket
— DJB
(@Brotha_Hagi) August 26, 2023
Not the First BIG3-to-NBA Return
Crawford would not be the first former veteran to return to the league via the BIG3. Joe Johnson initially left the league in 2021 after a storied playing career from 2001 to 2018, which included seven All-Star selections. “Iso Joe” continued playing basketball and joined the BIG3 in 2019. He dominated and eventually became the league’s two-time MVP. After a season where he averaged 22.8 points per game and led the BIG3 in scoring, Johnson signed a ten-day contract with the Celtics to retire with the team that drafted him in 2001. His final NBA points fittingly came on a midrange jumper in a December win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Many ex-NBA veterans have found ways to return to the league, often through the G League or overseas play. Though going from BIG3 to the NBA isn’t unheard of, it’s a relatively new concept. Crawford would be following in the footsteps of Johnson and Elijah Stewart, a USC standout who received a Summer League invite with the Pelicans during the 2022 BIG3 season. It’s also worth noting that Crawford and Stewart were both integral parts of the Enemies’ championship squad.
Crawford showed he has the talent to continue his basketball career at 34. Whether it’s enough to get him back into the league is another story, though anything is possible.
The Last Word
The recent notable events have continued to bridge the gap between the NBA and BIG3. It’s an inspiring sight for fans looking for summer basketball and for former players looking to return to the NBA.
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