Morgan Taylor/Reporter
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Bacone College men’s basketball team was invited as a special guest to Ice Cube’s Big 3 tournament, a 3-on-3 basketball league featuring World Champions, All-Stars, and Hall of Famers, held in Las Vegas.
According to the men’s basketball Head Coach Ruben Little Head, it was an anonymous donor who knew Ice Cube and pitched the idea of having the team as guests to watch the tournament as it made its way to Las Vegas.
The donor and Little Head agreed that it would be inspirational for the young team to attend.
The donor told the 13 basketball players who were able to attend, “This isn’t about me and it’s not about your coaches, or even about these famous people you’ve been around all day. It’s about you. And this can belong to you. All of it. You go out there and get it by working hard.”
Little Head said the impromptu trip was a great opportunity to get to know the ones able to attend better and provided a bonding experience for the team members.
“It was a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Little Head said about meeting Ice Cube. “He has a real big influence on my generation and even the younger generation and a big influence in the world.”
Little Head claimed he could see the glee in the eyes of the players when they met Ice Cube.
“When I see them smile and light up it was all worth it,” he said. “The opportunity I had as head coach and to have my basketball players in Vegas to meet the one and only Ice Cube, I believe it provided inspiration and motivation for my players to strive for success and inspiration to give the that extra effort to come to Bacone and to finish.”
“Hopefully we will have future big event from people like Ice Cube to shine some light our little college.”
President of Bacone College Dr. Ferlin Clark said the invitation was a blessing for the students and the historic college.
“We were to be invited as special guests of Ice Cube and grateful for the love shown to our students,” he said. “We’re also excited about the news we received before we came home that bigger things are in the works for us. What an incredible experience for our athletes.”
Little Head wanted to give a shout out to the Creator, Dr. Ferlin Clark, the anonymous donor and Ice Cube.
