Big3 Basketball League founder Ice Cube will be honored by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame with the inaugural Ice Cube Impact Award. According to a recent press release, Cube will be honored for his "extraordinary contributions to the world of basketball, his unparalleled passion for the game and his unwavering commitment to encouraging crucial dialogues surrounding inclusivity, equal opportunity, and racial and social justice while contributing to initiatives focused on education and community development.”

“The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Award named in my honor is truly remarkable," Cube said in a statement. "Words alone can’t express my gratitude for this recognition from such a prestigious organization. Having an award bearing my name only intensifies my commitment to advancing inclusivity and equal opportunity in sports, alongside my unwavering dedication to community activism.”

Ice Cube will be presented with the award at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield Massachusetts on January 12,2024.

The Department of Justice is currently investigating the NBA for obstructing the growth of Ice Cube's Big3 League. The DOJ initiated the inquiry months ago, as reported by TMZ Sports, and it is examining claims of anticompetitive behavior by the NBA. These allegations range from purportedly discouraging sponsors and other partners from engaging with the Big3 to dissuading TV networks from broadcasting Big3 games. Ice Cube's Big3 league, primarily composed of retired NBA players, was launched in 2017 in partnership with his business associate, Jeff Kwatinetz.