Corey Maggette Named 2018 BIG3 MVP

NEW YORK, NY – August 21, 2018 – The BIG3 announced the winners of the 2018 BIG3 Player Awards in advance of the Championship Game set to air live on FOX at 8pm Friday, August 24 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The honorees were nominated and voted on by the players and coaches with each member of the league able to vote once with equal weight in each available category. Players on the league’s top ranked team, Power, took home the most coveted awards recognizing the team’s hard work and competitiveness spanning the entire season.

Power Captain Corey Maggette earned the league’s top honor as the Most Valuable Player. Following a season-ending injury in the opening game last year, Maggette returned to the court in impressive form and led his team to the BIG3’s best record and a spot in the Championship game. This year, Maggette finished two points shy of the regular season scoring title, second overall in assists, tied for third overall in rebounds, and landed in the top ten in both made 3-pointers and steals. As a testament to his leadership on and off the court, Corey Maggette has also been named Player Captain of the Year. The battle for league MVP was heated this season as Tri-State’s David Hawkins received the second most votes, finishing the season in the top five in points, rebounds, assists, and steals before his team fell to Power in the BIG3 Playoffs.

Making a splash during her BIG3 debut season, Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman has been named the Coach of the Year. Her team, Power, finished the regular season as the league’s number one seed and prevailed last week in arguably the best game of the season to cement its spot in the Championship. Under her leadership, Coach Lieberman was able to get her players to buy into a truly unselfish, team-first style of basketball that separated them from the pack. Fellow Hall of Famer Gary Payton finished second in voting for Coach of the Year after leading his team to an almost perfect regular season, but he takes home the honor of Best Trash Talker for the effort he displayed with passionate exchanges with coaches, players, and referees alike all season long. The 2017 Best Trash Talker award winner Stephen Jackson and newcomer Nate Robinson were tied for second place.

NBA Champion Chris “Birdman” Andersen was drafted fourth overall this year by Power and brought his constant energy to the floor to earn Defensive Player of the Year. The league leader in blocked shots, Birdman was a force to be reckoned with at both ends of the floor, but was a standout on the defensive side of the ball with maximum effort on every possession as a rim protector who allowed his teammates to play more aggressively. 3 Headed Monsters’ Reggie Evans led the league in rebounds and double doubles, finishing a close second behind Birdman.

BIG3 breakout star Andre Emmett of 3’s Company was recognized as the 4th Man for his adaptability and key contributions all season long. Following a midseason injury to Co-Captain Baron Davis, Emmett led his team to this week’s Championship game, finishing the regular season in the top five in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. During last week’s BIG3 Playoffs, Emmett led 3’s Company to victory with a career high 27 points. Trilogy Captain Al Harrington has locked in the Too Hard to Guard title for the second year in a row. Harrington leads Trilogy in total points scored and was a constant threat on the block and the perimeter whenever he stepped on the court. Andre Emmett and 3 Headed Monsters’ Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf tied for a second place finish behind Harrington.

BIG3 has honored Ricky Davis with the inaugural BIG Community Award for all of his service to local communities with the Ricky Davis Legacy Foundation. Throughout the season, Davis led the charge and was joined by players, coaches, and BIG3 team members in each of the 10 BIG3 cities to make a real difference by visiting homeless shelters and encampments to deliver fresh produce, toiletries, and support to those who need it the most.

 

FULL LIST OF BIG3 2018 PLAYER AWARDS:

• Most Valuable Player: Corey Maggette, Power
• Coach of the Year: Nancy Lieberman, Power
• Player Captain of the Year: Corey Maggette, Power
• Defensive Player of the Year: Chris Andersen, Power
• Too Hard to Guard: Al Harrington, Trilogy
• Best Trash Talker: Gary Payton, 3 Headed Monsters
• 4th Man: Andre Emmett, 3’s Company
• BIG Community Award: Ricky Davis

 

BIG3 2018 REGULAR SEASON STATISTICAL LEADERS

• Points Scored: Ricky Davis, Ghost Ballers (137)
• 3-Pointers: DeShawn Stevenson, Ball Hogs (19)
• 4-Pointers: Nate Robinson, Tri-State (3) David Hawkins, Tri-State (3) Baron Davis, 3’s Company (3) and Ricky Davis, Ghost Ballers (3)
• Total Rebounds: Reggie Evans, 3 Headed Monsters (82)
• Assists: David Hawkins, Tri-State (27)
• Steals: David Hawkins, Tri-State (13)
• Blocks: Chris Andersen, Power (11)

 

The 2018 BIG3 season finishes on a high note LIVE at 8:00pm ET on FOX this Friday, August 24 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The 3^rd place match-up features Tri-State against 3 Headed Monsters. The BIG3 Championship will immediately follow as Power takes the court against 3’s Company for the title. Ice Cube will give a special performance to fans in the arena beginning at 6:30pm ET.