Dallas Mavericks: Interviewing Brian Custer ahead of BIG3 playoffs

With the BIG3 on their way to the American Airlines Center, home of the Dallas Mavericks, I got the opportunity to interview and have a conversation with Brian Custer (@BCusterTV), play-by-play announcer for FOX Sports. Custer was very gracious in chatting with me about the future of the BIG3, what the big names mean for the league, and much more.

During my conversation with Brian Custer, the first thing that became clear to me was that he is incredibly passionate about his work and about the league that he is covering. The BIG3 is a 3-on-3 basketball league comprised of former professional basketball players either from the NBA or other professional leagues.

The league was founded by Ice Cube and had its inaugural season last year. Brian Custer has been with the BIG3 since it began its affiliation with FOX Sports. Custer does the play-by-play for the games alongside former Dallas Mavericks player, Jim Jackson. The two men work well together, so one of my first questions to Custer was: What’s it like working with Jackson?

“Jim and I go back a long way,” Custer said. “Our careers have kind of gone full circle. We both grew up in Ohio and then while Jim was playing for the Mavericks, I got hired to work out in Dallas. He was traded not long after that, so it took awhile until we were actually able to work together.”

For the next little while, Custer and I were able to talk about the structure of the BIG3 and where they may improve going forward. While picking his brain about everything related to the league, I learned some really cool things that the BIG3 has already done.

Custer told me about the offseason and how they held a combine in which over 60 guys showed up to tryout. The team captains were present for the combine and were involved in deciding who they wanted on their teams for the upcoming season.

The most interesting thing I learned about the BIG3 is that the current NBA players are very aware of and interested in it. Custer mentioned a few guys that are currently in the league that have expressed interest once they have retired from the NBA. One of those guys was even a former Dallas Mavericks player.

Custer is very excited for the BIG3 going forward and sees a chance for some really amazing growth down the road. He mentioned that the BIG3 is already gaining a lot of recognition in only its 2nd season and he believes that in today’s world, the BIG3 could have a chance to be big like the NBA or NFL.

Before I let Custer go, I had to get his pick for the upcoming playoff games tonight, August 17th, starting at 6:00 central time.

“It will be a great couple games for the playoffs but I think Power will get the win,” Custer said.

Custer mentioned Nancy Lieberman as a main reason for picking Power to win it all. He has been impressed this season with her incredible basketball mind and her ability to communicate effectively to her team.

If you can’t make it to American Airlines Center Friday, make sure you tune-in to see the Big3 LIVE on FOX starting at 6pm CT. And don’t miss the championship next Friday on FOX as well.