With the average retirement age for NBA players resting somewhere around 34-years-old, rapper Ice Cube has found a way to summon the NBA’s retired talent.
The legendary rapper-turned-actor serves as co-founder of the BIG3 Basketball League. Founded in 2017, the league consists mostly of retired NBA players. During games, players take part in 3-on-3 games using only the half-court.
Ice Cube recently chopped it up with CBS News about the league, which he personally expressed his gratefulness for.
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“That’s one of the best parts,” Ice Cube said when asked about giving retired players the chance to play again. “All of the ‘thanks yous’ I get from guys who have said ‘Man, I was lost. I was looking for something to do.’ Just imagine. You’re 34, 33 [and] somebody tells you ‘It’s over. You can’t do what you do anymore.’ Basically, beat it. So, if you kept your game up, we have a place for you. And that’s a great feeling.”
Playoffs for the BIG3 are scheduled to take place on August 17, with the championship game scheduled for August 24.
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During his conversation with CBS News, Cube also spoke on the added work that comes with being a black man in the entertainment industry.
“A setback is nothing but a setup for a comeback…Doubted all the time. As far as things I want to do in entertainment,” he said. “You still always gotta convince people that you’re at the top of your game. Just being black, I’mma have a chip on my shoulder about being successful because I know I gotta do the extra things. Go the extra miles. Gotta make sure that it’s extra perfect. To get what I deserve.”
