3×3 basketball has been part of the culture in the States for decades– on streets and gyms. But in 2017, Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz took it to a whole new level. They turned the once informal game into a full-blown professional league: the Big3. Since then, the league has seen seven successful seasons. Even NBA stars like Jaylen Brown showed love, with Brown suiting up for the 2023 All-Star Game.
Now, heading into 2025, the Big3 is leveling up once again. The league just announced a brand-new team structure–eight city-based clubs. And with that came some big names. Dwight Howard is lacing up for what could be his final season. And he’s not alone. Another All-Star is stepping in to join the action.
Big news for Kemba Walker fans! According to NBA Insider Chris Haynes, the soon-to-be 35-year-old guard is joining Ice Cube’s Big3. Reports indicate that Walker agreed to play in the 2025 season. The four-time All-Star will join the likes of Dwight Howard, Joe Johnson to compete in the summer. Exciting times ahead for the league!
Four-time NBA All-Star point guard Kemba Walker has reached an agreement to play for @IceCube’s @TheBig3 for the 2025 season, league sources tell me. pic.twitter.com/yxb9gGDbdc
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) April 17, 2025
Kemba Walker’s NBA career spanned 12 seasons, with the first eight in Charlotte, where he became the franchise’s all-time leader in minutes, field goals, and points. Unfortunately, his time with the Mavericks in the 2022-23 season was short-lived, with just nine games played before being waived. Fans never got to see him shine in the EuroLeague either, as injuries kept him from making an impact.
After announcing his retirement from the NBA in July 2024, Kemba Walker joined the Charlotte Hornets coaching staff. Now, with the Big3 offering him another chance to hit the court, fans are overjoyed!
They wasted no time hitting social media to share their thoughts on Walker’s return. Let’s dive into some of the reactions.
Fans react to Kemba Walker joining Dwight Howard in the Big 3
Fans were hyped at the thought of seeing Kemba back on the hardwood. “This might actually be pretty entertaining,” one fan wrote on X. Another chimed in, “Prime Kemba was such a joy to watch.” Kemba Walker first burst onto the national scene during his junior year at UConn. At just 6 feet tall, many thought his size might hold him back. But Walker? He never blinked.
He led the country in scoring during the 2010–11 season, dropping 23.5 points per game. And then came one of the most iconic runs in NCAA history. Walker put UConn on his back and led them all the way to a national championship that season. The Hornets managed to get him as the 9th pick of the draft, and the rest, they say, is history! Walker quickly became the face of a rebuilding franchise. Over eight seasons, he evolved into one of the league’s most dangerous scorers. He made three All-Star teams and even landed on the All-NBA Third Team in 2019 after averaging a career-best 25.6 points. He ended up becoming the All-time top-scoring Hornet.
“Delighted that Kemba is healthy enough to keep playing,” wrote one fan–echoing a sentiment many shared. It also sparked a familiar question: what could’ve been if Kemba had stayed healthy? Everything changed after one All-Star Game. In 2019, Walker left the Hornets to chase a championship with the Celtics. He wanted to win. But before the All-Star break, he’d just returned from a knee injury and was on a minutes restriction.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 20: Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics dribbles down court during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at TD Garden on January 20, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Lakers 139-107. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Despite that, he played nearly 30 minutes in the All-Star Game. And after that? His knee troubles never really stopped. He was later traded to the Knicks, and sadly, he never looked the same. So now, to hear that Kemba is healthy enough to hoop again, even if it’s not in the NBA, is a win for the fans. But what about his coaching gig?
“Wasn’t he a staff for the Hornets… or I’m tripping?” wrote one curious fan. Another joined in asking, “Does this mean he’s leaving the Hornets’ coaching staff?” Valid questions. But here’s the deal—there’s been no official word on Kemba stepping down from his role in Charlotte. As of now, he’s still expected to continue as a player development coach.
And here’s why it makes sense. The Big3 season runs from June to August. The NBA? That’s October to May. So technically, it’s all happening in the offseason. Kemba suiting up in the summer shouldn’t get in the way of his coaching gig.
It really is a joy to see legends like Dwight Howard and Kemba Walker suiting up again on home soil. Fans are pumped. But the big question remains: how will they perform? Can they hold their own against today’s stars? Can they outperform reigning MVP Michael Beasley? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure–it’s going to be fun to watch it all unfold. Mark your calendars! Big3 officially tips off on June 14!
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