Ice Cube 3 on 3 leagues is getting ready to kick off year 3 of the league on June 20th. The Big 3 is currently working on putting their teams together and already has big names MVP Joe Johnson and Zach Randolph confirmed for season 3. Ice Cube league is changing the game and with this list of 12 ballers, they should look to sign to give itself more recognition as while as upping the competition. Each of these ballers brings something unique to the league and either been passed up by in the NBA or their game didn’t translate to the NBA as good as they wish.

Nick Young– Swaggy P has a decent NBA career averaging 11.4 in his 13-year career. Young is known for his engagement with Iggy Azalea that broke off in 2016 when a video came out that Young said he was having an affair. Swaggy P is cousins with Kendrick Lamar and NBA player Kevin Looney. Nick Young is a 6’7 wing that can get buckets and is perfect for the Big 3 with his style. Swaggy P stands for prophet of Swag.

JR Smith- The Henny God went to the NBA straight out of high school in 2004 and being named Co-Mcdonald All-American Game (Dwight Howard) was drafted 18th by the Hornets. Smith has great talent but often but reported he has a poor work ethic. During the NBA lockout, Smith played a season in the CBA where he averaged 34.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 4.1 apg, and 2.5 spg in 32 games. Smith has been part of many Controversies in the league most recently not wearing a shirt during the NBA parade victory. Smith is perfect for the 3 on 3 half-court game and his popularity would bring in fans.

Jimmer Fredette– Jimmermania took over in 2011 during Fredette senior year where he averaged 29.3 ppg and was unanimous player of the year. Holding many BYU and MWAC conference records for his scoring ability and deep 3 shooting, had Obama and Kevin Durant public have said Jimmer is the best scorer in the world. Jimmer’s popularity continued when he was drafted 10th by the Kings with sales up 54% and his jersey being sold out in stores and online (I still have mine). Jimmer never became the star he was in college struggling in his 5 years in the league eventually playing in the D-league. In his D-league debut, he scored 37 and was the All-Star game MVP. Jimmer’s next stop was the Shanghai Sharks where he became a star again averaging 37.6, and 36.9 in his 2 years in the league having a career-high 75 in a game (40 in the 4th). Jimmer did make in back in the NBA last season but only played 6 games with the Suns and now playing in the Greek top-tier league in Europe. Jimmer shooting and scoring ability will be huge for the Big 3, especially with the 4-point shoot Jimmer would be an easy candidate for MVP of the league.

Joakim Noah– The back-to-back Champ with the Florida Gators was drafted 9th by the Bulls in 2007. Noah had a long productive career as the starting center in Chi-town making the playoffs from 2009-2015. Noah had a career year in 2014 was named an All-NBA first team and Defensive player of the year. Noah left Chicago in 2016 after losing his starting spot and battling a shoulder injury, he signed with the Knicks with the “worst signing in franchise history” averaging 5.5 ppg and 8.8 rpg in his 46 starts. After the Knicks for 2 seasons, he agreed to a buyout and went to Memphis for a year. Noah recently signed with the Clippers to finish this season but career doesn’t look much longer after that and his tough style of defense would fit in the Big 3.

Jeremy Lin– The first American of Chinese descent in the NBA and first Asian American to win an NBA championship Lin have had a great career since he was barely recruited out of HS. He was named Northern California player of the year his senior year but had no athletic offers he went to Harvard where he became a 3-time All-conference player. Lin sign with the Warriors and played on their D-league team before getting waive after a couple of seasons. In 2011 Lin’s career took over with the Knicks when he was inserted into the starting lineup due to injuries. Linsanity won 7 games in a row and took over the world as a pop culture icon. Lin play help the Knicks make the playoffs that season and he became an international icon landing on the cover of Sports Illustrated. After the Knicks season, Lin signs a big contract with the Houston Rockets that people were shocked the Knicks didn’t match since they needed a young guard for the future. Lin had some success in Houston but battled through injuries and inconstant play made Lin expendable. Lin also played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, and Toronto Raptors in his career and now in the CBA. Lin’s passing ability to lead as a guard will help him be a great player in the Big 3.

Jamaal Crawford– J-crossover is one of the best ballhandlers in NBA history, first 3-time 6th man of the year winner, most 4 point plays in NBA history, the oldest player to score 50 in a game (most by player of the bench), 1st to score 50 with 4 different teams, and the 2nd player in history to have 10,000 points in career off the bench. Crawford was drafted with the 8th pick by the Bulls in 2000 when he was traded to Cleveland. Crawford has had a long career off the bench is a valuable asset to the Clippers playoff runs. The Big 3 is perfect for Crawford who still got game and with his ball-handling and shooting ability his game will translate perfectly for the 3 on 3 game.

Kenneth Faried– The “Manimal” got his nickname for playing hard and his fearlessly which is perfect for Big 3. Faried went to Murray State and was a 2-time conference player of the year, All-American and D1 career rebound leader. Faried was drafted 22nd by the Nuggets in 2011 and had a great rookie season finishing 3rd in the rookie of the year voting. After 5 productive seasons with the Nuggets, Faried had some back issues and saw his role change with his last 2 seasons after the Paul Millsap signing. Faried went to the Nets and then the Rockets but some limit time and the 30-year-old NBA career look over. Faried a 6’8 post fearless play should make him an easy signing for Ice Cube’s league.

Trey Burke– The National player of the year, led Michigan to the National Championship game, and single-season assist record all in 2013. Burke was drafted 9th by the Timberwolves and traded to the Jazz. Burke’s career started strong starting for the Jazz and even though he missed some time due to injury he finished 3rd in the rookie of the year. During his second season with the Jazz struggling 14-28 Burke got benched for Exum. The following season Burke stayed on the bench behind Nato having him be the leader of the reserves. Burke then went to the Wizards, Knicks, Mavs, 76ers and saw limit time and nothing more than a role player. Burke is currently a free agent and career looks likely over with teams looking for young guards. Burke could be ideal for the Big 3 with his leadership and the passing ability he displayed in college.

Anthony Bennett– One of the biggest bust in NBA history being drafted number 1 overall by the Cavs Anthony Bennett. The Mcdonald All-American played limit time in college dealing with a shoulder injury but was extremely efficient with a PER of 28.3. In his rookie season took him 33 games to scored double digits 3 times as long as any other number 1 pick. He was traded to Minnesota the next season in part of the Kevin Love deal and there he had a career-high 5.2 ppg in 57 games. After a contact buy-out, he went to the Raptors and the Nets mostly playing in the G-league. He then signed with Fenerbahçe in Europe and won the championship but he averaged 1.2 ppg in 10 games. He then came back and played in the G-league for 2 more seasons and currently a free agent. Bennett has struggled at the pro level but still a great athlete with a notable name being the 1st pick in the draft. If he is signed by the Big 3 league it will be up the league by having another name for the casual fans.

Michael Beasley– The number 1 HS prospect in 2007 Beasley went to Kansas State where he continues to dominate scoring 26.2 (3rd in the nation), 12.4 RPG (1st), 28 double-doubles, shot 54% from the field, 39% from 3. To go along with his numerous records, All-American honor, Big-12 Player of the Year, and 2nd player taken in the draft to Miami in 2009. Scoring has never been a problem in Beasley’s 11-year career where he had a career-high 19.2 ppg in 73 games with the Wolves. Beasley struggles came with the off-court incidents mostly for Mary Jane ending up being suspended multiple times. Beasley has had a few stops in the CBA where he also dominated scoring 28.7, 31.9 in his first two seasons in 2015/2016. Beasley NBA career looks likely to be over after playing for the Lakers last season and at 31-years old looked over for younger players. Beasley will be a great fit for the Big 3 since he’s a professional bucket getter as a 6’9 wing with great athleticism.

Lance Stephenson– Mr. New York Basketball (2009), McDonald All-American, 4-time state champ, scoring school-record- 2,946 points, and Big East player of the year at University of Cincinnati. Stephenson was the youngest player on the documentary Gunnin’ for the #1 spot where they followed 8 HS prospects looking to be NBA top draft pick. Stephenson was drafted with the 40th pick to the Pacers where he spent his 1st 4 seasons. In his 3rd year when Danny Granger got injured Stephenson stepped up and had a breakthrough season and proved he could play in the NBA. Stephenson started 78 games the next season where he averaged 13.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg, league-high 5 triple-doubles, and finish 2nd in the most improved player of the year. Stephenson and the Pacers were the 1st seed in the East where they played Miami in the Conference final where Lance used strange tactics like blowing in Lebron’s ear. Stephenson looking for big-time money tested free agency going to the Hornets where he never became anything more than a role player at his next 6 stops including another stop with the Pacers. Stephenson currently in the CBA where he helps the Liaoning Flying Leopards win the championship and MVP of the tier. Stephenson is a gritty guard in what the Big 3 looks for and Stephenson like Young is an icon for fans to watch.

Ron Baker– Baker unlike most of the names on this list was under-recruiting in Kansas where he won the 3A title. Baker turned down offers to Arkansas–Little Rock, Eastern Illinois, and South Dakota State and walked-on to Wichita State where he redshirted his first season. Baker proved to be an elite free throw shooter but struggled to score as a freshman where he missed half of the games due to stress fracture in the foot. In his second season, he helped the shockers make a run in the tournament shooting 40% and 42% from 3. During his third season with Fred VanVleet (current Raptors player), Wichita State became the 1st time to go the regular season undefeated. Ron was three-time MAC championships, 9 NCAA Tournament wins, two trips to the Sweet 16 (2015) including a Final Four run (2013). As a senior in 2015–16, he averaged 14.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.51 spg and named as a Second Team All-American. Baker went undrafted and after a summer league tryout was signed to the Knicks. As a rookie, Baker earned 13 starts averaging 4.1 ppg but in his 2nd year missed many games due to injuries. Baker eventually was cut and only played 4 games with the Knicks before signing to the CSKA Moscow. Baker is a strong shooter who like Jimmer could be a 4-point shot king and like Jason Terry can be a great leader for a Big 3 team. Baker signing will bring in college basketball fans that what Baker led the Shockers to March Madness success.