BIG3 statement regarding Dusan Bulut’s withdrawal from the league amid FIBA threats

LOS ANGELES – The following statement has been issued by Jeff Kwatinetz, co-founder of BIG3 Basketball, regarding Dusan Bulut’s withdrawal from BIG3 amid FIBA sanction threats:

“We are deeply saddened for Dusan Bulut and shocked by the outrageous actions of FIBA, which is shamefully and callously treating him like property by stealing his dream of playing with the best 3X3 players in the world in the BIG3. Dusan made the effort to come to our combine and compete for his heart out and was rewarded by being drafted and securing a coveted spot on a BIG3 team. Enlightened leagues like the BIG3 and the NBA support and nurture the worldwide growth of professional basketball by supporting the game and its players. But it’s clear that FIBA clings to the old plantation economics, protecting its turf and has the audacity to threaten anyone, including its best player, when they ‘get out of line.’

“There are promising basketball players all over the world who are working hard every day with a dream of playing with the very best 3X3 basketball players on the planet in the BIG3. We know they and basketball fans everywhere will be watching when our season kicks off live in Detroit and Indianapolis on CBS Sports this weekend. Dusan’s fight is our fight too. We will not let FIBA’s campaign of intimidation and threats ruin careers and continue to pollute basketball with corporate power grabs and politics.

“The BIG3 and all our players are united, and we are preparing legal action to protect Dusan, the BIG3 and the future of 3X3 basketball.”

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Tags: Big 3, CBS Sports, Dusan Bulut, FIBA, Jeff Kwatinetz, Landon Buford, NBA

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Landon Buford Washington State Graduate Past Interviews include Grammy Award Winner Kenny G, David Banner, WNBA President Lisa Borders, What's Trending's CEO Shira Lazar, Ice Cube, NBC's Chicago PD LaRoyce Hawkins, Family Matters Darius McCrary, En Vogues Maxine Jones, Team USA Track & Field Member Norris Frederick, James Kyson, WNBA Great Lauren Jackson, and more.