Five Former Jazzmen To Play For BIG3
May 2, 2019, 10:38 AM
(Photo by Dylan Buell/BIG3/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The BIG3 had their draft before they launch their season. Five former Jazzmen will play in the third season of the league.
The BIG3 is a league that was founded by iconic rapper Ice Cube, that features a professional three-on-three basketball league, which includes players who have had long careers in the NBA or overseas.
Having eight teams last season, the BIG3 is expanding to 12 teams this season.
Carlos Boozer
Boozer is entering his second season in the BIG3 and returns as a co-captain. The former Jazzman will play for the Ghost Ballers. He is joined by captain Mike Bibby, fellow co-captain Ricky Davis, Jamario Moon, Alex Scales and Mike Taylor. They are coached by NBA Hall of Famer George Gervin.
Boozer’s best years in his 13-year NBA career were spent in Salt Lake City with the Utah Jazz from 2004 to 2010. During his time with the Jazz, Boozer averaged 19.3 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.
He also had stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers.
DeShawn Stevenson
Stevenson has been in the BIG3 since their inaugural season. He is a co-captain for the Ball Hogs team that includes captain Brian Scalabrine and co-captain Josh Childress, Will McDonald, Jermaine Taylor and Dusan Bulut. They are coached by NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry.
Stevenson was drafted by the Utah Jazz in 2000 in the first round, 23rd overall pick. He played four of his 13 NBA seasons with Jazz, averaging 5.9 points during his tenure.
He also played for the Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards, New Jersey Nets, Atlanta Hawks and two seasons with the Dallas Mavericks that includes a championship in 2011.
Joe Johnson
The long-time NBA veteran and All-Star recently retired from the NBA and will play his first season in the BIG3 and is the captain of the expansion Triplets team. He is joined by co-captains Al Jefferson and Jannero Pargo, as well as Chris Johnson, Alan Anderson and Sergerio Gipson. They are coached by Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie.
Johnson spent 17 seasons in the NBA and 2 seasons with the Utah Jazz. During his time in Salt Lake City, he averaged 8.6 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.
He also had stops with the Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat and Houston Rockets.
Al Jefferson
Big man Al Jefferson was playing in China this past season before deciding to join the BIG3. He is a co-captain on the Triplets squad with captain Joe Johnson, fellow co-captain Jannero Pargo, as well as Chris Johnson, Alan Anderson and Sergerio Gipson. They are coached by Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie.
Jefferson spent 14 seasons in the NBA, 3 seasons with 4 teams and 2 seasons with another team. He averaged 18.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in his 3 seasons with the Jazz.
He also played for the Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, Charlotte Hornets and Indiana Pacers.
Carlos Arroyo
The former NBA point guard will play his first season in the BIG3 and was drafted in the third round of the BIG3 Draft to Trilogy. He will play alongside captain Jason Terry, co-captains James White and David Hawkins, also Patrick O’Bryant and Sam Young. They are coached by longtime NBA veteran Kenyon Martin.
With the 7th pick of the third round, Trilogy selects CARLOS ARROYO 👁👁👁
— BIG3 (@thebig3) May 2, 2019
Arroyo played nine seasons in the NBA, his last being in the 2010-11 season. He played three seasons with the Jazz, averaging 8.7 points and 3.9 assists per game.
He also played for the Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Miami Heat and Boston Celtics.
The third season of the BIG3 will be broadcast on CBS and CBS Sports Network.