Lonzo Ball may have found the most unusual audition process in Hollywood.
After Ice Cube challenged LaMelo Ball, Lonzo Ball and LiAngelo Ball to face BIG3 All-Stars in Charlotte, Lonzo responded with a different kind of request.
He wanted a movie role.
“Some Last Friday roles lol,” Lonzo wrote on X. “That’s what I want.”
Ice Cube’s answer was simple.
“No problem,” Cube replied. “You win, you in.”
Just like that, the BIG3 challenge became a basketball-meets-Hollywood crossover, with a possible spot in the long-awaited next installment of the Friday franchise tied to a 3-on-3 showdown.
Sean Bannon, President of the BIG3, told California Post the offer should not be dismissed as empty social media banter.
“Cube is a man of his word,” Bannon said. “What he says he’s going to do, he does. I think he put it right there on X for the world to see. I think that’s as real as it gets.”
The timing adds another layer. Ice Cube recently said on Draymond Green’s podcast that the Last Friday script is done and now has to go through the studio process, according to Bannon.
The challenge came together quickly after LaVar Ball weighed in on LaMelo’s move to Minnesota, saying the Timberwolves would need his other sons if they wanted to win a championship.
“Cube was like, ‘Look, why don’t we challenge these guys? If they think they can win an NBA title, why don’t we see if they can come play our best players in our All-Star Game and take on our top players in the BIG3 and win?’” Bannon said.
Cube had already thrown down the challenge in a video posted to X, inviting the Ball brothers to Charlotte for the BIG3 championship game on Aug. 22.
“We challenged the Ball brothers, 3-on-3 BIG3 style, against our All-Stars,” Cube said. “Let’s see what’s up, man. I’ll see you in Charlotte if you want some of this.”
The All-Star side could include plenty of former NBA talent, with Bannon mentioning names such as Michael Beasley, Dwight Howard, Lance Stephenson and Montrezl Harrell.
And the Ball side may come with a twist.
“Who wouldn’t want to see Michael Beasley, Dwight Howard, Lance Stephenson and Montrezl Harrell take on the Ball brothers, led by LaMelo and Lonzo, and whoever else they pick up to fill out their roster?” Bannon said. “And if LaVar coaches them, I mean, how entertaining is that with LaVar’s personality?”
That “whoever else” line matters. LiAngelo has shifted much of his focus toward music after playing in the G League, and it is not yet clear whether he would be part of the potential game.
Before the NBA, injuries, trades and music careers, LaMelo, Lonzo and LiAngelo were one of the most famous sibling acts in basketball. The Southern California-raised brothers became national names at Chino Hills High School, where they helped lead one of the most viral teams of the internet era to a 35-0 record and a CIF Open Division state championship.
That also makes the Last Friday wrinkle feel fitting. The Friday franchise is rooted in Los Angeles, and Ice Cube, who grew up in South Central L.A., helped turn the original film into a West Coast comedy classic.
The BIG3 also believes its format gives the potential matchup real stakes.
“In the half-court game, you really can’t take any plays off,” Bannon said. “It’s three-on-three. If you get beat, there aren’t many guys behind you to help you. If you’re not playing defense, you’re going to get exposed out there.”
Before the Charlotte championship, BIG3 will also be in Los Angeles this weekend at USC’s Galen Center.
“We’ll be in town,” Bannon said. “We have games this weekend, July 12 at USC Galen Center. We’ll be playing all four of our games back to back, and we’ll see by that time if there’s any more news that breaks out of this thing.”
The formula is simple enough.
Win the game.
Get the role.
And maybe let LaVar call a few plays along the way.
