Interview Only: Rapper Ice Cube discusses Big3 season 8, mental health impact and league innovation.

The Stephen A. Smith Show

Stephen A. Smith and iHeartPodcasts

Society & Culture, Sports

4.6 • 1.4K Ratings

🗓️ 17 June 2025

⏱️ 23 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Stephen A. Smith is a New York Times Bestselling Author, Executive Producer, host of ESPN's First Take, and co-host of NBA Countdown.

The interview with Ice Cube from the previous file, focusing on his work with the Big3 basketball league, his entertainment career, and his views on current social issues.

Here’s a summary of the key highlights from this script:

🎤 Interview with Ice Cube on The Stephen Smith Show 🏀 Big3 Basketball League

Season 8 Launch: The league has officially kicked off its eighth season, now with eight city-based franchises (e.g., Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, Houston, Miami, L.A.).
Vision: Cube wants the league to last 100 years, like the NBA or NFL.
Mental Health Impact: Players have expressed that the league helps them mentally by keeping them in the game and in front of fans.
Passion & Intensity: Cube addressed a scuffle involving Dwight Howard and Lance Stephenson, emphasizing the passion players bring.
Innovation: The league features unique rules like:
- Four-point shot
- 14-second shot clock
- “Bring the Fire” one-on-one challenge
Ownership Opportunities: Players can gain equity in the league, and Cube encourages more to get involved in team ownership.
Women in the League: Cube confirmed they offered Caitlin Clark a spot, and that women could join if selected by team captains.
Season Duration: The 10-week season ends with a championship game on August 24.

🎶 Cube’s Broader Career & Cultural Impact

Entertainment Legacy: Celebrated for his 40-year music career and recent handprint ceremony at the Chinese Theatre.
Upcoming Tour: “Truth to Power” tour launching in the fall.
Family Pride: Cube praises his son O’Shea Jackson Jr. for his acting talent and dedication.

🗣️ Social Commentary

Civic Responsibility: He emphasizes the need for more respectful and humane enforcement of laws.

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Transcript

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0:29.9	Show me how good it can get today, God, and show the rest of the world what we already know.
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0:39.9	My name is Joseph Rees.
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1:02.9	My next guest is a multi-hyphenate legendary rapper,
1:07.6	actor and producer of some of our favorite films, an entrepreneur, founding member
1:13.3	of the iconic rap collective NWA, and of course, co-founder of the Big Three basketball league.
1:18.9	We know them, we love them.
1:20.3	It's my brother, the one and only.
	...

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