Basketball legend Dwight Howard, an eight-time NBA All-Star and Hall of Famer, is set to play his last professional season in the BIG3 league. Howard will join the Los Angeles Riot in 2025, aiming for a strong finish to his career.
Ice Cube, the founder and CEO of BIG3, announced Howard`s participation on Wednesday. The three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year will be part of the Riot team as the league transitions to a city-based team structure.
In a statement, Ice Cube welcomed Dwight Howard to the BIG3, highlighting Howard`s impressive legacy and continued passion for basketball. Ice Cube believes BIG3 will allow Howard to showcase his full range of skills, which might have been limited in the NBA. He emphasized that Howard is a great fit for the league due to his athleticism, size, and shared goal of expanding basketball globally. Ice Cube is excited to see Howard compete and potentially win another championship in the 3-on-3 format.
Howard will not only play for the Riot but also serve as a player-captain, alongside Jordan Crawford and Elijah Stewart, under coach Nick Young. Howard expressed his enthusiasm for joining the BIG3 and his desire to bring a title to Los Angeles while also contributing to the global growth of basketball.
Howard reflected on his 18 seasons in the NBA with seven teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won a championship in 2020. During his prime, Howard consistently earned first-team All-NBA honors and was a dominant rebounder. He is expected to bring his defensive expertise to the BIG3, while also having the opportunity to display his offensive abilities in the 3-on-3 league.
The Los Angeles Riot will be one of eight city-based teams in the 2025 BIG3 season, alongside teams from Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Miami, and the DMV area. Further announcements about star players are expected soon.
Jasper Hawthorne