Caitlin Clark and Flau’jae Johnson are two very different players and two very different people. Despite their differences, the former cannot believe that the latter turned down $5 million to play in the BIG3.
She would have taken the money without hesitation!
BIG3, a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by hip-hop musician and actor Ice Cube, consists of 12 teams. Rosters are made up of former NBA and international players like Joe Johnson, Stephen Jackson, Eddy Curry, Baron Davis and Drew Gooden, among others.
The league plays its games from June through August, which ultimately made things tricky for Clark.
Ice Cube and BIG3 offered the greatest scorer in college basketball history an opportunity to play her games in tandem to the WNBA. Only one or two of her games with the Indiana Fever created conflict with the alternative league’s schedule. She could have technically done both at the same time.
Hawkeyes head coach Lisa Bluder shut down the idea before it ever really took off, and Clark deflected any chatter at the Sweet 16 about what was initially reported as a $5 million offer. However, according to BIG3 president Jeff Kwatinetz, the full proposed agreement was much larger.
It also included team ownership, a seven-figure documentary deal, and a 50% cut of merchandising revenue involving her name, image and likeness. Clark did not accept.
Johnson couldn’t believe it! The 20-year-old LSU guard did not hesitate when asked about the BIG3 opportunity during an appearance on ‘The Baller Alert Show‘ with Ferrari Simmons and You Know BT.
There may not be another star like Caitlin Clark to come through the women’s college basketball ranks in the near future. Ice Cube will not have an opportunity to try and lure an equally as popular WNBA player into the league.
However, it sounds like Flau’jae Johnson is open to the idea. She likely is not the only one!