Jeff Kwatinetz, Ice Cube's longtime business partner and the co-founder of the Big3 three-on-three basketball league, still thinks Kobe Bryant will play in the Big3 in 2019.
Not too long back, Ice Cube disclosed that he keeps asking Kobe to join the league, though the Mamba has repeatedly turned him down. Shortly thereafter, Kwatinetz reportedly said: "I did hear from a credible source that Kobe is going to be playing next year."
But earlier this week, Molly Carter, the chief marketing officer of Kobe Inc., said the Lakers legend has no plans of joining the league. Nonetheless, Kwatinetz remains confident the Mamba will join the league next summer.
"There's no mix-up," Kwatinetz told TMZ. "Someone who's a good source, who I'm not gonna reveal, says he's gonna play."
Kwatinetz later added: "Every year we have guys who say they're not gonna play who end up playing...I don't know that he's not coming. I'll know in February. I think that's the truth."
He also said Jason Terry, who is not currently on an NBA roster and attended the Big3 playoffs in Dallas Sunday, will play in the Big3 next summer.
Stephen Jackson recently laughed off a question about whether Kobe could handle the rough play of the Big3.
"Kobe can play in any league," Jackson answered. "Any league. Kobe, right now, listen. You listening? Want me to slap him for you? Can you please come to this league? We need you...This is one of the best scorers of all time. You think he wasn’t getting knocked down in the league? Yes, please come Kobe and yes, Kobe would be dominant just as he was in the league in this. I truly believe it."
Big3 is at Barclays for the championship this Friday.
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