The Monster Energy BIG3 Celebrity Game Brought On The Entertainment And Philanthropy
A four-hour and 30-minute drive from New Jersey to Boston on a rainy Saturday evening was enough to make me turn around on the Turnpike and head back home. However, the excitement that Ice Cube has brought to the sport of basketball with his innovative BIG3 League is something I wanted to witness first-hand — especially for its final sporting event of the season. $40 to fill up my 2022 Honda Accord, nearly $20 in tolls (one-way) and a few bucks for snacks — my emptying pockets were worth the priceless experience that I would get with the Monster Energy BIG3 Celebrity Game, Gin & Juice party and incomparable hospitality.
Sounds of money-guzzling slot machines, drunken chatter, winning hollers and more filled the casino air luring at the bottom of the Encore Boston Harbor hotel. From the 17th floor, a breathtaking panoramic view of Beantown’s busy night scene was nothing short of impressive. The buzzing resort — which housed the likes of Three 6 Mafia’s DJ Paul, comedian and actor Michael Blackson, NFL Super Bowl Champ Vernon Davis and more attendees for the night — clearly had an atmosphere full of BIG3 energy. And on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 18), the TD Garden would fill with fans anticipating their favorite BIG3 players and celebrities’ tip-off, and shooting it out for the title of MVP.
Attendees of all ages filled the stands, wearing their favorite teams’ memorabilia and even a few unique pieces such as a vintage yellow Bad Boys jersey. I even wore a pink “Bayou Barbie” jersey to represent Angel Reese, who wasn’t in attendance. Behind the walls of the arena, a few children were welcomed backstage to grab some exclusive BIG3 merch and even autographs from players including Nick “Swaggy P” Young, Gerald Green, Michael Beasley and more.
The Celebrity Game welcomed stars from sports, film and other avenues to show off their skills on the court, including: Gillie Da Kid and Wallo, Ty Dolla $ign, Anthony Anderson, Matt James, French Montana, Fabolous, Flau’Jae Johnson, Vernon Davis, Ty Law, The Professor, Michael Blackson, Skilla Baby, and Briana Green.
“In the BIG3, it doesn’t matter where you come from or what your name is – you have to prove it on the court and that’s no different whether you are a baller, entertainer or an NFL hall of famer,” stated BIG3 CEO and Co-Founder, Ice Cube. And his Team Webull did just that, finishing strong in the celebrity game with 50 to Team Green’s 30. Much of the latter could be credited to Million Dollaz Worth of Game co-host Gillie Da Kid, who took home MVP for the third year in the row.
“I just keep managing to win MVP. I don’t know what I’m doing, but somehow I get it done,” he said while hilariously adding that, to prepare for the BIG3, he does “kush-ups” (no explanation needed). Speaking of his co-host Wallo’s performance on the court, Gillie praised his efforts. “He’s done better than he’s ever done in his life, because he’s never scored. He actually scored a basket and had a foul shot,” he said. For Wallo, he felt like he was “Jason Tatum” on the court.
“The crowd was energetic,” he beamed. “They was loving what was going on. I felt great. Being a part of history … BIG3 is making history for the culture.” Like Gillie, Wallo also shouted out his right-hand man for winning the highest title. “I already knew that was happening. I’m just there to hype him up, push him to the next level. I knew that was happening. We was coming to win. We was coming for the big championship. This the third year in a row we was champions — Gill is third year MVP.”
However, there was a highly-skilled and legendary player who doubted Gillie’s skills on the court, until he witnessed them for himself first-hand. Streetball player, The Professor, went head-to-head with the former rapper and was surprisingly impressed by his level of athleticism. “I ain’t going to lie, coming in, I actually didn’t think he could play at all,” he spoke of Gillie. “He deserved it [MVP].” The Professor, né Grayson Boucher, admitted disappointment that Team Green didn’t score the W, but above all, he felt “honored” to still be in the mix after so many years.
Speaking of bringing that raw, rugged aspect to the game, Event Producer and Founder of Idol Roc, Steven Ferraro told VIBE, “I think there’s a little bit more of a street [ball] culture aspect to the BIG3. It’s a little less commercialized. When you look at the 3-on-3 half court aspect — just that in its own gives an organic street ball kind of vibe.” Ferraro also spoke on how interesting it is to see athletes from other sports cross over to basketball, such as Super Bowl champs Ty Law and Vernon Davis. “I remember a [NFL] player telling me in the locker room one year that he felt that this was almost harder than football for him. These guys were taking it seriously, running up and down the court,” he recalled.
Three-time Super Bowl winner, Law, shared what it was like for him on the court, especially since dealing with a back injury that hadn’t allowed him to perform the same. The Patriots Hall of Famer said that although he had some basketball experience in high school, football was his ticket. “Basketball was more recreational for me for staying in shape, but I love to compete,” he said. “I wish physically I was able to go out there and do more [at BIG3]. It’s about fun and entertainment, but after I get this damn back surgery, I’m coming back.”
The majority of the celebs who spoke with VIBE gave their take on who they’d like to see hit the court for future BIG3 Celebrity games, and almost every one named Chris Brown. For Gillie, he called out Jamal Crawford and Toosii, as Ferraro named J. Cole and Quavo. The Idol Roc founder even revealed he’s open to seeing Megan Thee Stallion’s skills on the court. “Every year we challenge ourselves to try to have some new people playing the game who haven’t played in the past, so this year we have Flau’Jae Johnson from LSU, French Montana, and Fabulous,” he added, although neither French nor Fab put their game face on.
Whether fans’ favorite rappers made shots or looked cool from the sideline, the entertainment was non-stop. Ahead of the All-Star and Championship games that followed the Celebrity event, attendees were treated to performances by Treach of Naughty By Nature, Three 6 Mafia’s DJ Paul, the BIG3 dancers, Monster Energy merch, and a full-on dunk competition featuring the BIG3 tricksters. More important than winning, guests were also able to witness the philanthropic work that the BIG3 commits, as the goal of this year’s games was to “compete in the name of goodwill.”
Treach performing at the BIG3 Championship! pic.twitter.com/hpfDoWqUtn
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) August 18, 2024
“We want to entertain, but this game is kind of a special event in that we come together to do goodwill,” stated Ferraro. “It’s competitive, it’s fun, and it is all in the name of goodwill. We want everyone to come out and say what is it that they care about and we make various donations to their causes.” Monster Energy committed a pledge of $25,000 on top of other donations made to other charities.
Truly a night of entertainment and philanthropy, cheers roared throughout the arena as it filled with red and gold confetti and a balloon drop, championing BIG3 team Bivouac over 3’s Company’s with 50-47. Prior to the main event, the All-Star game saw Julius Erving’s Team 3 win over Swaggy P’s Team Big — wrapping the 2024 BIG 3 season until next year.
As the league’s events get bigger and bigger, Ice Cube continues to show how important it is for rappers to leverage their celebrity, not only in the Hip-Hop space, but within other avenues in need of a change.
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