Kobe's final game inspired Ice Cube to launch BIG3

Kobe Bryant had a big hand in motivating Ice Cube to start the BIG3.

As the hip-hop mogul explained to Sports Illustrated's Ben Ladner, he had already been thinking about starting his own basketball league, but watching Bryant put up 60 points in his final NBA game was what inspired him to make it happen.

"It kind of lay dormant in my head until Kobe scores these 60 points," Cube said. "And then I realized there's nowhere to see him play again. So I started thinking, there should be a place to see these guys, because I know they still play."

Nine months after that game, Cube and his business partner, Jeff Kwatinetz, announced the creation of their three-on-three basketball league.

Cube has repeatedly said that the door is open for Bryant to play in the BIG3, though there's been no indication from Bryant about whether he's interested in joining the league.