BIG3 Basketball Returns with Star-Laden Rosters for Los Angeles Season Opener

The BIG3 basketball league opens its ninth season Saturday in Los Angeles with four games at Intuit Dome, headlined by defending champion Miami 305 facing the LA Riot in a matchup between two rosters filled with former NBA talent. Two contests will broadcast on CBS, with the Miami-LA game serving as the league's signature event. The half-court, 3-on-3 format returns with an expanded roster of accomplished veterans, including several notable new additions to the league's talent pool.

Opening Day Matchups and Notable Rosters

Saturday's slate consists of four games, with Detroit Amps facing DMV Trilogy in the opening contest. The Amps roster features Corey Brewer, a former NBA player and University of Florida standout, alongside Donte Greene, a 2008 first-round pick who ranks as the league's fifth all-time leading scorer. Detroit struggled during its inaugural season last year with a 4-4 record, but enters this campaign without Joe Johnson, a standout performer who sustained a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 of the previous season and continues recovery.

DMV Trilogy, led by Stephen Jackson, finished 2-6 in its previous campaign despite maintaining competitive games throughout the season. The roster includes James Johnson, Willie Reed, and Earl Clark, a two-time BIG3 champion and former first-round selection of the Phoenix Suns. Despite last season's modest record, Trilogy ranked fourth in scoring output across the league.

The evening features the primary attraction: LA Riot versus Miami 305. The LA Riot brings Dwight Howard, a former NBA MVP candidate, alongside Jordan Crawford and Kosta Koufos. Miami's roster proves even more formidable, anchored by Michael Beasley, a two-time league MVP, Mario Chalmers, an NCAA and NBA champion, and Lance Stephenson. The defending champion squad returns most of its championship-winning roster intact, positioning Miami to mount a title defense after capturing the league crown the previous season.

New Talent and Season Context

The ninth season features enhanced star power through notable new acquisitions and returning veterans. Derrick Favors and Leandro Barbosa join the league alongside established names such as Joe Johnson, Greg Monroe, and others. The 2025 season marked a structural change, with teams now representing specific cities rather than operating under previous organizational frameworks. Miami's roster returns with continuity, while competing squads adjusted their lineups for the new campaign.

Saturday's broadcasts begin at 4 p.m. ET on CBS, available for live streaming through Fubo, which offers a free trial period. The platform carries nationally broadcast channels including ESPN and ABC, providing comprehensive access to BIG3 games throughout the season.