The Return Of Ron Artest: Metta World Peace Signs With The BIG3

NEW YORK, NY – November 13, 2017 – The Killers 3s have made the first major move of the BIG3 off season with the signing of their new co-captain: Ron Artest aka Metta World Peace.  The announcement marks the first of eight anticipated co-captain signings, as the league previously announced expanded rosters in 2018 with each team adding an additional co-captain.  Artest, who legally changed his name to Metta World Peace will play under his former moniker, a name with a storied NBA history including a Championship title, an All-Star nod, and a Defensive Player of the Year Award.  He joins Chauncey Billups and former Indiana Pacers teammate Stephen Jackson on the Killer 3s.

Per league rules, Trilogy, the 2017 BIG3 Champions will return with their full inaugural season roster intact for 2018.  With Captain Kenyon Martin, Co-Captain Al Harrington and Coach Rick Mahorn signed to two year deals, the team has re-signed Rashad McCants, James White and Dion Glover.  Trilogy finished 2017 with a perfect 10-0 record and will seek to defend their championship title when the 2018 BIG3 season tips off next summer.  Trilogy will also add one new co-captain to their roster this offseason.

3 Headed Monsters, the 2017 runner-up, had the option to keep two of their original roster players, or release them all and fully redraft.  Captain Rashard Lewis and Coach Gary Payton opted to retain Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf and Kwame Brown.  They will also add an additional co-captain this off season.

Additionally, 25 players from the inaugural BIG3 season have already signed to the 2018 Draft Pool.  Among those eligible players are: Eddie Basden, Kareem Rush, Hakim Warrick, Ivan Johnson, Marcus Banks, Mo Evans, Paul McPherson, Rasual Butler, DeShawn Stevenson, Kendall Gill, Moochie Norris, Andre Owens, Mike Sweetney, Al Thornton, Ruben Patterson, David Hawkins, Lee Nailon, Mike James, Dominic McGuire, Xavier Silas, Derrick Byars, Desmon Farmer, Brian Cook, Eddie Robinson, and Larry Hughes.  Each team will fill their three remaining roster spots at the 2018 Draft.

The BIG3 earlier announced two-year agreements with 21 Player Captains, Co-captains and Coaches from the inaugural season including 2017 BIG3 MVP Rashard Lewis, 2017 BIG3 Champions Trilogy’s Kenyon Martin, Al Harrington and coach Rick Mahorn, Corey Maggette, Chauncey Billups, Clyde Drexler, Gary Payton, Brian Scalabrine, Jermaine O’Neal, Charles Oakley, Stephen Jackson, DerMarr Johnson, Jermaine O’Neal, Ricky Davis, Josh Childress, Cuttino Mobley, Jerome “Junk Yard Dog” Williams, Bonzi Wells, George “The Iceman” Gervin, and Rick Barry.

The league has also announced Allen Iverson will return as coach of 3’s Company and Mike Bibby has re-signed as captain of Ghost Ballers.