Mario Chalmers has hit big shots before.
With the Kansas Jayhawks, he hit the game-tying basket to force overtime that allowed Kansas to defeat the Memphis Tigers to win the 2008 national championship. Chalmers was a key piece to two Miami Heat championship teams in the 2010s.
The Big3 is not the NBA Finals or NCAA tournament. But do not tell that to Chalmers and his Miami 305 teammates or the fans riveted with every shot of Sunday’s championship game at Addition Financial Arena.
When league MVP Michael Beasley swung the ball to Chalmers in the corner on game point, Chalmers knew exactly what to do, draining the basket to give Miami 305 a 52-48 championship win and sending the fans home with a true basketball memory.
Miami 305’s Michael Beasley is on the floor and celebrating with Lance Stephenson (right) after winning the Big3 basketball championship game on Sunday at UCF. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)
“It’s something I pride myself in being a clutch shooter,” Chalmers said. “My teammates did all the work I just helped close it.”
Miami 305’s Michael Beasley is on the floor and celebrating with Lance Stephenson (right) after winning the championship game of the Big3 basketball game at UCF on Sunday. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)When Ice Cube created the Big3 in 2017, he envisioned a family-friendly league to bring professional basketball to the masses. The idea was to make a fast-paced 3-on-3 league with former NBA greats available at an affordable price.
But he did not want to skimp on the competition. He did not want this to be a glorified All-Star game for players to jog through. He wanted competition.
And there was no doubt the passion and excitement over winning as the Miami players — drenched in champagne and eager to celebrate together more — spoke about redeeming themselves for a loss in last year’s championship game.
Even for fans who were jumping into the game just for the weekend, it was easy to get caught up in the moment. They fed into the moment and the intensity of the championship game.
“As fans, we want to see guys play,” Ice Cube said. “We let our guys be themselves, so their personalities shine through and the fans love it.”
Fans exiting the championship game Sunday certainly felt the impression that this is a league with some lasting power.
And it is easy to get excited to see NBA-level talent on the floor in a more personable and smaller scale. It made for an accessible Sunday afternoon that engaged an eager crowd.
“I think sometimes the NBA game kind of lags,” fan Samuel Barrington said of his first Big3 experience. “This is exciting one-on-one basketball. I definitely like it. This was a great first experience.”
Former Magic center and soon-to-be Hall-of-Famer Dwight Howard’s presence helped make this one of the biggest seasons in the Big3’s history.
Ice Cube said he wanted to bring the league’s traveling show to Orlando. They finally had a good attraction to center it there with Howard joining the league this season.
They had a reason to create a presence with Howard’s return to Orlando as the headliner for the Big3’s final weekend. Howard participated in the All-Star Game, leading his team to a win and earning the All-Star Game’s MVP award.
Fans greeted Howard with an ovation and cheered on every big play he made during the game. Many donned his old Magic No. 12 jersey.
A week before he enters the Hall of Fame, he was grateful for the opportunity to play in front of his home fans again.
“It’s always great to be home in Orlando,” Howard said. “To play in the All-Star Game and be here with the Big3 is amazing. I love Ice Cube and what he has been doing for the last three years. I’m grateful and thankful to be a part of it and looking forward to next year.”
The Big3 is boasting its most successful season in its seven years. The league is hopeful it has made a good impression.
With a thrilling final game to its season, it delivered to an eager and hungry Orlando basketball crowd.
Originally Published: August 24, 2025 at 5:43 PM EDT