BIG3 BASKETBALL RETURNS TO QUEEN CITY FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2017
– Triplets Continue Unbeaten Season Behind Another 20+ Point Joe Johnson Performance –
– Gilbert Arenas Makes BIG3 Debut, Helps Lead 2019 Expansion Team Enemies to 13-Point Comeback Win –
– Charlotte Crowd Treated to Strong Performances from Stephen Jackson, Al Jefferson and Jannero Pargo –
Images licensed by Getty Images and BIG3.
If you do not have a subscription with Getty Images, email press@big3.com to request permission.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – June 29, 2019
- The BIG3 returned to Charlotte, N.C. on Saturday afternoon – marking the league’s first visit since Week 2 of the inaugural season of 2017.
- Local favorites Stephen Jackson (22 pts on 8-of-11 shooting, including 2-of-5 from 3-point range and 1-of-1 from 4-point range), Al Jefferson (14 pts, 5 reb) and Jannero Pargo (6 pts, 3 reb, 4 ast) scored wins in their returns to Charlotte.
- Triplets continued their unbeaten, debut campaign behind another impressive performance from Joe Johnson (20 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast and one game-icing 4-point shot). Lisa Leslie’s squad improved to 2-0 on the year, topping the Trilogy (0-2), 51-41.
- Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas made a strong BIG3 debut, helping the Enemies score its first win. The expansion team put together 37 points in the second half to secure a 13-point comeback victory.
- Next week, the BIG3 will visit Birmingham, Ala. on Saturday (Legacy Arena at the BJCC, beginning at 5:00 p.m. ET) and Atlanta (State Farm Arena, beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET). All games will broadcast live on CBS and CBS Sports Network.
Getty Images Link: https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/big3?agreements=pa:53674&events=775356075&family=editorial&page=2&phrase=big3&sort=newest#license
Game Recaps:
Triplets (51, 2-0) vs. Trilogy (41, 0-2)
Video Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DIrTUWJL4Y
The Triplets’ (2-0) focus on ball movement and quality shooting resulted in another winning performance Saturday afternoon. Leading the way was team captain Joe Johnson, who worked through frequent double teams to put up another solid performance (20 pts, 8 reb and 5 ast). Former Bobcat and Hornet Al Jefferson helped build upon the Triplet’s inside out game with 14 points.
Johnson scored the team’s final eight points, including a major 4-pointer that put any Trilogy comeback hopes to bed.
Trilogy, despite the loss, put together a solid effort, shooting 54.8% from the field. They were led by stellar offensive play from James White, who scored 18 points and added six rebounds. DeShawn Stevenson contributed 14 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals).
Triplets are now (2-0); Trilogy is now (0-2)
Ball Hogs (45, 0-2) vs Enemies (50, 1-1)
Video Highlights: https://youtu.be/tzREQDE6t2E
The second game of the day proved to be a tale of two halves. At the end of the first, the Ball Hogs – paced by a dominating performance from big man Will McDonald (27 pts and 11 reb) – held a 26-13 lead over Enemies. Coach Rick Barry and company eventually lost momentum when their first-year opponents, led by Craig Smith (21 pts and 4 reb), put together a 20-2 second half run.
Three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas (13 pts and three reb) scored the winning points for his new team. His late, 2-point free throw was enough to seal the deal for the squad’s impressive comeback win. Frank Robinson (8 pts and 11 reb) and Royce White (10 pts, 8 reb and 2 ast), who was ejected early into his BIG3 debut last week, added to the effort.
Ball Hogs are now (0-2); Enemies are now (1-1)
Killer 3s (50, 2-0) vs 3’s Company (32, 0-2)
Video Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AfZ_v3a7hs
Killer 3s built upon its close Week 1 victory with a blowout win Saturday afternoon. The team lived up to their namesake, hitting six 3-pointers in the 18-point win. They improved to 2-0, behind 22 points from former Charlotte Bobcat Stephen Jackson (3-of-6 behind the arc, including a 4-point play), and the crafty playmaking ability of CJ Watson.
Killer 3s started to take things over just before halftime, beginning with a corner three from CJ Watson that gave them a 27-19 lead at the break. Several 3-point shots from Watson and a 4-point shot from Jackson allowed Coach Charles Oakley to get his bench involved and help close things out. Franklin Sessions would eventually seal the deal with a 3-pointer.
Drew Gooden and Andre Emmett each scored 10 points for 3’s Company.
Killer 3s are now (2-0); 3’s Company is now (0-2)
NEXT WEEK’S MATCHUPS
- Saturday 7/6 (Birmingham, Ala.): 3’s Company vs. Tri-State, Aliens vs. Ball Hogs, Enemies vs. Ghost Ballers
- Sunday 7/7 (Atlanta): 3 Headed Monsters vs. Killer 3s, Power vs. Trilogy, Triplets vs. Bivouac