By Braedan Shea
@braedan_shea
When it came to the 2024 edition of the annual Spalding Hoophall Classic,the Basketball Hall of Fame did not pull any punches in making the event unforgettable.
Fans watched in awe as some of the most prestigious powerhouse high school basketball programs took the floor of Springfield College’s Blake Arena. From top ESPN and WESPN ranked prospects – from Montverde Academy’s Cooper Flagg to Don Bosco’s Dylan Harper to Long Island Lutheran’s Kateryna Koval – every spectator in sight had their faces hidden behind their phone recording and taking pictures.
But during halftime of Christopher Columbus High School’s matchup against Paul IV on Monday, Jan. 15, their focus wasn’t on a player or the game at hand. Instead, hundreds stood on top of the bleachers, trying to get a view of one of the biggest cultural icons in the world.
As Ice Cube made his way to center court, ready to accept the newest Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Ice Cube Impact Award alongside business partner Jeff Kwatinetz and Hall-of-Famer Nancy Lieberman ‘96, the crowd erupted; almost as if Cube himself had punished the rim with a thunderous slam.
After a video showcasing Cube’s long history of basketball and community service, he was presented with the award – a basketball encased in a large ice cube.
This unique collaboration between the Basketball Hall of Fame and Cube comes from his “extraordinary contributions to the world of basketball, his unparalleled passion for the game, and his unwavering commitment to encouraging crucial dialogues surrounding inclusivity, equal opportunity, and racial and social justice while contributing to initiatives focused on education and community development,” according to a press release from the Hall of Fame.
Cube, an actor, director, producer and musician who has seven platinum records and a 2017 People’s Choice Award to his name, is no stranger to recognition – including induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of N.W.A. in 2016 and a Hollywood Walk of Fame star the following year. The Impact Award, along with a partnering exhibit, mean just as much to him.
“It’s up there at the top,” Cube said. “When you reach Hall of Fame status, you’ve got the top of the mountain. It’s really about us upholding the standards, continuing to do great work and not to exhale because we made it into the Hall. But those three awards are at the top of the list. Nothing better.”
Growing up in Inglewood during the Los Angeles Lakers’ dominance of the 1980s, Cube fell in love with the game. He played at a local YMCA. But it wasn’t until basketball legend Kobe Bryant dropped a mind-boggling 60 points in his final career game that Cube knew he wanted to make his own league.
“I wasn’t [at the game] because I was shooting a movie called Fist Fight,” Cube said. “I started to get beside myself, because there was nowhere I could see this dude play no more. I’m like, ‘Man, this is crazy. I know if he could score 60 points, he’s still got game.’”
A year later, Cube and Kwatinetz launched the BIG3 , a 3-on-3 pro basketball league that showcases a plethora of former NBA Hall-of-Famers and players, giving them another chance to play or coach the sport.
Cube’s approach to the game, and the way he runs the league, was a key factor in having the award named after him. He makes sure that not only is everyone in the league treated equally, but cares for their mental health and well being too.
He also understands how important the game can be to people, especially to underprivileged communities as someone who did so himself.
“It brings a getaway, to kind of forget all your worries when you’re on the court,” Cube said. “You’re free to worry about what’s going on in the rest of the world, and to focus on your mind, body and spirit. I know you know a lot of people in the hood use basketball not only exercise, not only to brag, not only to show off in front of the girls but also to escape for a couple hours.”
The cherry on top of having the Impact award named after him was the location of where it was presented, at the birthplace of the game – Springfield College. While the event has become so popular that some have suggested moving it to a larger venue, Cube is an avid advocate for keeping Hoophall at the college.
When asked if he believes Hoophall belongs at the birthplace of basketball, Cube didn’t mince his words. “For sure [it should stay here at Springfield],” he said.
After he received his award, Cube beamed and cradled the trophy. It was clear how much the award meant to him.
“Never in a million years did I ever think I would do something that would have me displayed in the Hall of Fame,” Cube said.
Photo by Nick Storlazzi/The Student