Javaris Crittenton’s career started with so much promise. After being drafted by the Lakers, he looked set to shine in the NBA. He had solid moments during his rookie year, showing that he could hold his own on the court. But soon after, he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in February 2008. The trade brought Pau Gasol to the Lakers, and for the Grizzlies, Crittenton showed some promise. But after just 28 games with them, he was traded to the Wizards in December! Unfortunately, his trajectory took a sharp dive when he became involved in a gun-related incident with Gilbert Arenas, marking a turning point in his career.
Crittenton’s attempt to regain his footing after the incident was short-lived. Following a season-long suspension, he tried to make a comeback with different teams. However, things never went the way they did for Arenas, who had managed to return to the game after his suspension. Crittenton, on the other hand, found himself caught in a spiral of misfortune. His troubles led to a prison sentence, and his NBA career came to an abrupt halt.
Now that he’s out after serving 10 years of the 23-year-long sentence, Crittenton and Arenas appeared in the Netflix feature Untold, where they discussed their infamous past. And now he has appeared on Gilbert Arenas’ podcast. During a conversation, the two touched upon many different topics. Arenas asked Crittenton if he had any thoughts of returning to play in the BIG3, and Crittenton’s answer was telling. He replied, “I definitely would consider that, man. I love the game, I can still play, I can still move.” His response showed a hint of hope despite the challenges he’s faced.
“I think I end up putting the ball down when I can’t move no more. It’s just—I’m that slow, you know. Then I put the ball down. But right now, I still go,” he added. He claimed that he is still able to play good basketball and thus would like a chance to play.
Though his NBA dreams seem distant, Crittenton remains in good shape, thanks to his time playing on a prison basketball team. When asked about it, he mentioned the competitive nature of the games. “A lot of talent in that place,” he said. “A lot of people that just made mistakes, you know what I mean? They never got the opportunity.” Crittenton’s love for the game still burns, and while his future in professional basketball is uncertain, he’s ready to keep playing as long as he can move. And the timing is interesting considering the announcement made just a couple weeks ago!
BIG3’s Big Moves Could Be the Perfect Setup for Crittenton’s Return
Just weeks before Javaris Crittenton appeared on Gilbert Arenas’ podcast, the basketball world was already buzzing. The BIG3 league, founded by Ice Cube, had just dropped two major announcements that shook things up. First came the signing of former NBA star Dwight Howard, who joined the Los Angeles Riot under the guidance of coach Nick Young. Ice Cube called the move “a perfect fit for the league,” and suddenly, all eyes were back on the BIG3’s player-first movement.
Then, just days later, Ice Cube doubled down on the momentum with another major reveal. The league officially entered a partnership with Starter, the legendary sportswear brand worth over $250 million. This wasn’t just about logos, Starter is designing full uniforms, warm-ups, travel sets, and exclusive fan merch for each city-based team. As Cube put it, “This partnership is a dream come true,” reflecting both nostalgia and his vision for the league’s growth.
With the league now planting roots in cities like Miami, Chicago, and Los Angeles, could Crittenton be lining up for a shot at redemption through this new platform?
The BIG3’s eighth season kicks off this June with CBS backing broadcasts and games being hosted in home arenas for the first time. With names like Allen Iverson, Gary Payton, and now Dwight Howard already tied to the league, the question is: Will Crittenton be the next name to step onto that half-court and rewrite his story?
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