SOURCE SPORTS: Ice Cube Honored with Naismith Hall of Fame Award

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Ice Cube, the iconic artist, actor, and co-founder of the BIG3 basketball league, reached another pinnacle in his illustrious career as he was honored with the esteemed Naismith Hall of Fame Award. This recognition, known as The Naismith Hall of Fame Ice Cube Impact Award, celebrates Cube’s significant contributions to professional basketball and his dedication to community service.

The newly introduced Naismith Award, named in Cube’s honor, will be an annual accolade presented to individuals in the basketball community who have made exceptional contributions to the sport and have positively impacted their communities. Cube will personally chair the selection committee for future award nominations.

The celebration included unveiling the Ice Cube Impact Award Exhibit, showcasing a collection of photographs capturing Cube’s life, from his youth basketball days to iconic moments with NWA and Kobe Bryant. A video featuring Cube discussing his journey and the award’s significance added depth to the exhibit.

“I am so honored; when you have an award in the hall of fame, people have to take you seriously; it gives you a certain level of credibility,” he continues. “I am looking forward to finding finalists who do good work across the country that positively impact the lives of others through basketball, famous or not.”

“The Hall of Fame team enjoyed meeting and honoring Ice Cube as we welcomed him to the Hall of Fame family. We look forward to utilizing Cube’s platform in both entertainment and basketball to discover and celebrate people in challenged communities nationally who are using basketball as a lever to improve their neighborhoods, and more importantly, help guide young people by reinforcing positive life skills through their love of the game,” adds John Doleva, President/CEO of Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

Before the Hall of Fame ceremony, Cube received a warm welcome from CEO/President John Doleva and enjoyed a two-day celebration, including a tour of the recently renovated Hall of Fame and a visit to the Kobe Bryant exhibit.

Engaging with the Springfield community, Cube, and BIG3 Coach Nancy Lieberman participated in a basketball clinic for local children. The center court at Hoop Hall buzzed with excitement as Cube emphasized the importance of practice. Cube also visited Deberry Elementary School, offering an inspirational talk to the students.

The pinnacle of the celebration was Cube awarding the MVP at the 2024 Spalding Hoophall Classic game, a testament to his enduring legacy in basketball, entertainment, and community engagement. Alongside this honor, as a member of NWA, Cube will also receive a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.