This past Sunday, Trilogy won back-to-back titles and their third overall BIG3 Championship in a huge 51-35 win over Power. They finished the regular season with a 6-2 record and were the number one seed in the playoffs. The champions won a close one against the Aliens in round one and finished off power in the big game, who were trying to win their second championship. Season five of the BIG3 was the best yet and we saw it end with great performances and a repeat champion.
BIG3 Championship: Top Performances
Earl Clark (Trilogy)
BIG3 Championship Stats: 22 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks, 1 assist, 1 steal
One half of the dynamic duo for Trilogy is Earl Clark, who put up the best season of his short career so far. He averaged 15 points per game while being seventh in field goals made. Clark did it on both sides of the ball as he earned BIG3 Defensive Player of the Year honors this season while placing second in total blocks and first in total rebounds and steals. With his 14 takeaways, Clark broke David Hawkins’ record in 2018 for steals in a season.
He showed us why he earned that award through his two playoff games as he totaled two steals and an amazing six blocks. Clark scored 18 points against the Aliens to advance to the championship game and he stepped up his game even more this past week by scoring 22. He was one of the if not the biggest reason that Trilogy was able to repeat.
Isaiah Briscoe (Trilogy)
BIG3 Championship Stats: 21 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
The second half of the great duo for Trilogy is Isaiah Briscoe, who played a huge part in the team’s success just as much as Clark did. Briscoe caught a taste of success in 2021 by leading Trilogy to the BIG3 Championship. He wanted another taste and it showed in his play in the regular season and postseason. He averaged 19 points per game and was second in total points for the season with 153.
Like Clark, Briscoe stepped it up in the playoffs, scoring 21 points while hitting three threes in each game. The dangerous duo of Briscoe and Clark put on yet another great display on the court, scoring 20+ points to blowout and put away Power. He is one of the best players in the league and will continue to be as long as he steps on the court in the BIG3.
Glen Rice Jr. (Power)
BIG3 Championship Stats: 23 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
Even in the 51-35 blowout loss to Trilogy, Glen Rice Jr. continued to show that he is the future of the BIG3. He was awarded the Rookie of the Year after averaging 17 points per game while racking up the third most points in the league with 140. Rice Jr. also finished third in total rebounds, fifth in total assists, seventh in total steals, and eighth in blocks. The 2022 first-overall pick also was lethal from downtown, shooting 44 percent while hitting 15 threes.
He propelled Power to the championship game, as he scored 26 points to eliminate the 3-Headed Monsters. Rice Jr. followed that up with a 23-point, 12-rebound double-double in the championship game. Unfortunately, it resulted in a loss as no one else stepped up to help him but he was impressive nonetheless. There was a reason that he was picked number one overall and he will continue to be a force for years to come.
Amir Johnson (Trilogy)
BIG3 Championship Stats: 8 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1 assist
While everyone talks about Clark and Briscoe for Trilogy, rightfully so, Amir Johnson flies under the radar as a key piece to this championship team. Johnson finished sixth in the league in total rebounds with 49 and that carried into the playoffs. He tallied a team-leading 10 rebounds in the win, while also posting eight points and three blocks. Johnson might not be flashy on offense but can play great defense and defend the rim when needed. He played an even bigger part in this year’s championship game than in last year’s. Don’t forget about how important Johnson was for the 2022 Trilogy team.
