Ice Cube was on the scene on a beautiful Saturday in Inglewood at the Crenshaw Imperial Plaza. It wasn’t your ordinary shopping day because Ice Cube came to make a big announcement and to launch a gigantic celebration. Yes, he did—and the people had heard all about the grand news because the parking lot was filled with fans. They had come from miles around to participate in the announcement about LA’s newest professional basketball team, the Los Angeles Riot. Wow, you don’t say? Yes, the Los Angeles Riot officially launched with a high-energy community celebration held in the heart of Inglewood.
4th District Councilmember Dionne Faulk had the honorable pleasure of hosting the event in her district, and she was joined by Mayor James T. Butts, Jr., leader of the awesome City of Champions. Also in attendance were 2nd District Councilmember Alex Padilla, 3rd District Councilmember Eloy Morales, City Treasurer Angela Allen, and City Clerk Aisha L. Thompson. They were all on hand to welcome this brand-new team—the LA Riot—to Inglewood, and it was off the chain.
The event kicked off the Riot’s season, which begins in earnest when the BIG3’s eighth season tips off on June 14, 2025, in Chicago, IL, at Allstate Arena, and will be broadcast live on CBS, iHeart Radio, and VICE TV.
The LA Riot is led by Coach Nick Young, a USC alum and Lakers legend, and boasts a powerhouse roster including First Ballot Hall-of-Famer Dwight Howard, 2010 NBA fourth overall pick Wesley Johnson, Chicago native and Simeon Alum Jeff Teague, NCAA Champion Jordan Crawford, and LA native and USC Alum Elijah Stewart. Now that’s power led by power, and it’s LA Riot hour. Saturday’s celebration also featured DJ sets, HoopBus games, giveaways, local vendors, and a kids’ zone. The balls were flowing and Coach Young had lots of fun with everyone at the Crenshaw Imperial Plaza as he helped launch the newest BIG3 team.
And what makes this BIG3 season truly historic is that for the first time, the league is launching city-based teams. Outside of LA, other debut franchises this summer include: Boston Ball Hogs, Chicago Triplets, Dallas Power, Detroit Amplifiers, DMV Trilogy, Houston Rig Hands, and Miami 305.
According to a report in MyNewsLA.com, the BIG3 has switched the game and is now bringing 3-on-3 basketball directly to the cities. “This is a landmark moment in our league,” BIG3 Co-CEO Ice Cube said in a statement. “These cities have shown up for us year after year and we are honored to represent and reward those fans with a new franchise of their own. The basketball energy in these cities is unmatched, and we’ve seen first-hand the power of their fanbases.”
Ice Cube gave the history of the BIG3 and how it came about. He recalled how in 2015, Kobe Bryant scored 60 points at his last game. He was passionate as he shared that memory and emphasized how we’d never get the chance to see Kobe play again at the highest level. That didn’t sit well with him. “With 60 points, can’t you still play in the NBA?” he asked. That’s when the lightbulb went off. “We make a game that they can actually still play,” Cube said. And that’s when they realized 3-on-3 was the sport. In 2016, they went to work professionalizing the format, and by 2017, the BIG3 was launched. Now, they’re celebrating eight years of resilience and growth.
Ice Cube also mentioned, “We had a lot of opposition. The NBA did not welcome us. The NBA saw us as a threat and we had to do it without them. That’s what we set out to do. We weren’t going to let their lack of support stop us. We decided to persevere—and now, on June 14, we begin our 8th season.” Ice Cube announced that on August 9, the LA Riot will debut at the Intuit Dome. Humbly, he added, “We appreciate any support. But if you are not able to make it, check us out on CBS.”
For many fans, Ice Cube’s drive and innovation bring back memories of his breakout film, Friday, a cultural classic that showcased life in South Central LA with raw truth and humor. That movie was the hook—and we all remember his genius. But like with BIG3, he didn’t do it alone. Ice Cube is to be commended for the way he involves and uplifts the community through collaborative partnerships. That same community spirit was on full display Saturday.
Leading this local vision is Shawn Horwitz, founder and owner of the LA Riot. Horwitz, co-founder and CEO of Palm Drive Associates, a private equity firm focused on real estate and sports ownership, purchased the LA Riot franchise for $10 million as part of BIG3’s expansion into city-based teams. In his own words: “As a lifelong basketball fan and entrepreneur, I saw an incredible opportunity to bring the excitement of the BIG3 to Los Angeles — one of the greatest basketball cities in the world. This franchise isn’t just about the game; it’s about community, culture, and giving fans a new way to experience the sport they love.”
The Southern Truth applauds Ice Cube’s example of entrepreneurship and advocacy. His leadership of the BIG3 League and community uplift is exactly what our people need as a model for freedom, unity, and creative control. Black media must also take its rightful place to share these truth-telling stories of triumph and ownership.
With Ice Cube’s ingenuity, community support, and a powerhouse team in place, the LA Riot is ready to make their mark in the City of Champions. And come August 9, they’ll take the court at the iconic Intuit Dome—where history is sure to be made. Tickets are available NOW at big3.com/tickets
Read the original article here: Ice Cube, LA Riot & BIG3 Blaze a New Trail to the Intuit Dome In Inglewood – Pace News