Fans approve of LA Riot BIG3 name
Inglewood launches Los Angeles Riot BIG3 entry
By Kenneth Miller|Publisher
PLAZA OF DREAMS–Youngster works on his handles at the Crenshaw Imperial Plaza in Inglewood where the launching of the Los Angeles Riot BIG3 team was announced by native icon Ice Cube on May 31. (KENNETH MILLER/SBBJ PHOTO)
On a picturesque Saturday afternoon amid construction north of Imperial Hwy, Inglewood residents and Angelinos from throughout the South Bay and beyond waited with abated breath for Los Angeles icon Ice Cube at Crenshaw Imperial Plaza to introduce the latest entrant of the eight team BIG3 Basketball League, the Los Angeles Riot.
Yes, you read correctly that a team playing in a league owned by one of the original gangsta rappers will be named for one of the most notorious moments in the history of the region and the nation will be playing under the banner LA Riot.
One lifetime Los Angeles native and the new Athletic Director at St. Mary’s Academy in Inglewood was not pleased with the name of the team.
“I’m mean come on dog. Are you serious? Of all the names they could have come up with, that is what they got? The LA Riots is a reflection of the worst of us and the worst of times for all of us,” said DeAnthony Langston, a former Verbum High star and founder and organizer of the Real Run amateur basketball league.
However, three others who spoke with South Bay Black Journal said they had no issues with the team’s name.
RIOT GEAR–LA Riot gear was unveiled at Crenshaw Imperial Plaza in Inglewood on May 31 in conjunction with the introducing the new BIG3 team to the City of Inglewood. (KENNETH MILLER/SBBJ PHOTO)
“I don’t know what it represents for them but for me it represents unity and it represents bringing us together from LA. I am ok with it and I don’t see a problem with it at all,” said Gabriella.
(KENNETH MILLER/SBBJ PHOTO)
Another fan came out to the event at the corner of Crenshaw and Imperial Hwy and flush with canopies representing the likes of District 4 City of Inglewood Councilwoman Dionne Faulk, kids playing miniature basketball as loud music blasted from speakers because of they wanted to see Ice Cube.
I’m here for “Ice Cube BIG3.” “I have no issue with the name LA Riot, I am here supporting Ice Cube,” Inglewood resident Jarred Hill explained to South Bay Black Journal.
Erica Cortez had just arrived at the event with her two young sons from her home just down the street when I approached her about the name of the team.
“I like that this event is represented by businesses in the community like Norms and I don’t know what it’s really about,” said Erica Cortez. As for the 1992 Riots, she remembered there was lots of smoke and being scared and wondering if the fire was going to get close to her house and the whole community burning down during the time while she was residing in Los Angeles.
Asked if she had any reservations about LA Riot team named after that history of infamy, she emphatically responded. “I don’t!”
During the 1992 LA Riots more than 50 people were killed, more than 2,300 were injured, and thousands were arrested. About 1,100 buildings were damaged, and total property damage was about $1 billion, which made the riots one of the most-devastating civil disruptions in American history. [Wikipedia]
(KENNETH MILLER/SBBJ PHOTO)
Also on hand for the occasion was Hoop Bus Inc., non-profit developed for the sole purpose of spreading love through the game of basketball.
“We were brought here by LA Riot, the BIG3 newest team in LA and they wanted us to be here and we just came out to celebrate as their partners to engage the community, help the kids and give them a fun day,” stated Chantelle Denise Anderson, Impact Director for Hoop Bus Inc. The 6’6 Anderson is a retired Lebanese-American who played at Vanderbilt and for 8 seasons in the WNBA as a No. 2 of Sacramento.
GET ON THE BUS—Chantelle Anderson, Impact Director for Hoop Bus Inc., is holding court with a few youths at Crenshaw Imperial Plaza on May 31 for the launching of the LA Riot BIG3 basketball team. (KENNETH MILLER/SBBJ PHOTO)
Hoop Bus Inc. aims to break down social barriers to stimulate community, inspire kids and adults of all ages to get outside and play basketball, and to educate the next generation through targeted programs which teach life skills through the lens of basketball.
(KENNETH MILLER/SBBJ PHOTO)
The Intuit Dome will play host to the BIG3 during the final week of the regular season on Aug. 9 and on Aug. 8 will host The YOUNG3, a community outreach division of the BIG3 that looks to uplift the communities the league visits.
The LA Riot team will feature former Los Angeles Lakers star and future NBA Hall of Famer Dwight Howard, former Clippers standout Jamal Crawford, former Westchester High Star and Collision All Star alum Elijah Stewart and the team will be coached by former NBA veteran Nick Young.
