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Ice Cube throws $150K CHALLENGE to Olympics 3X3 Basketball winners

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Gerard Crispin | Last updated Aug 5, 2024 9:42 PM ET

American rapper Ice Cube has thrown his weight behind the USA Men’s 3×3 Basketball team, who were eliminated on Sunday from the competition at the ongoing Paris Olympics. The Americans suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of the Netherlands, who progressed further after their victory. This led to Ice Cube throwing open a challenge for the eventual winners of the competition.

While reacting to the news of Team USA crashing out of the 3×3 basketball games, the legendary rapper quickly pledged his support to the American stars. Ice Cube then proceeded to announce he is organizing a follow-up competition that will see the future winners of the 3×3 basketball games at the ongoing Olympics in France, challenge the Big 3 All-Stars team for a prize money of $150,000.

The rapper also announced the location as Boston, Massachusetts and assured the eventual winners not to worry as all flights, accommodation fees will be fully paid.

Okay, gold medal winner, it's your homeboy Ice Cube. Whatever country wins the gold medal, y'all need to come to Boston. We gon' pay for y'all trip to Boston, hotels, get y'all little cash and let's see who's the best in the world. Ice Cube said via Big 3

BIG 3 CHALLENGE: Ice Cube has challenged the future Gold Medal winners of the Olympic Men’s 3×3 tournament to play against the Big 3 All-Stars for $150,000 on August 18th in Boston.

Ice Cube is offering to pay for their flight, hotel, & cash for showing.

Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/FbWca1KlHI
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) August 5, 2024

Furthermore, Ice Cube bragged that his All-Stars team would defeat any country that emerged as the winner at the Paris Olympics. For context, the Big 3 is a 3-on-3 American basketball league founded by Ice Cube together with entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz in 2017. The league has twelve teams which has former NBA and international stars on their squads.

3×3 Team USA eliminated from Paris Olympics

The US 3×3 Men’s basketball team were sent packing from the 2024 Olympics, after the Netherlands dealt a devastating blow to any hopes they had for gold medals. The defeat yesterday means Team USA have crashed out from this year’s edition, after they previously failed to qualify for the Tokyo Games.

The 3×3 team finished 2-5 in pool play while playing its last five games without star Jimmer Fredette, whose absence due to injury was definitely felt in the game and meant the team had to switch their play tactics.

Final from Paris. pic.twitter.com/mzHlwL0JOh
— USA Basketball 3×3 (@usab3x3) August 4, 2024

The USA entered the Paris Olympics as the No. 2 seed, with Fredette as their key attacking outlet. However, after getting injured in their second game, the 3×3 team have been eliminated with a 21-6 thrashing by the Netherlands.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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