In the first-ever Amps draft, they add size and defense to an already proven core
roster.

DETROIT, May 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Detroit Amplifiers, the city's premier BIG3 franchise, have officially finalized their five-man roster following today's 2025 BIG3 Draft in Las Vegas. With the addition of two high-impact players, Detroit is ready to make noise in its debut season.

With their first-round pick, the Amplifiers selected Ray Nixon, a 6'8" veteran forward known for his versatility, perimeter shooting, and championship experience overseas. In the second round, Detroit added Shakur Juiston, a high-energy forward celebrated for his rebounding prowess, defensive tenacity, and blue-collar playing style.

"These two guys complete the puzzle," said Head Coach George Gervin.

Ray Nixon shared his reaction to being drafted, saying, "It's an honor to be part of the Detroit Amplifiers. I've worked hard to stay in this league, and now I get to play for a legendary coach like Ice Man. I'm thankful to the owners, coaches, and captains who believed in me—and I'm ready to go to battle for this city."

Shakur Juiston added, "I'm excited to bring my 'do anything to help win' mentality to this talented team. Playing for Coach Gervin is an honor—he's a real OG. I'm here to compete for a championship and represent Detroit the right way."

The 2025 Detroit Amplifiers roster is now complete:

• Jeremy Pargo (Captain): A dynamic guard with an elite scoring touch, Pargo has played in the NBA with teams like the Cavaliers and 76ers and enjoyed a standout international career in Israel and Russia. He shattered the BIG3 single-season 4-point record in 2024. Known for his leadership and clutch shot-making, he brings control and swagger to the Amplifiers' backcourt.
  
  
• Darnell Jackson (Co-Captain): A physical force in the paint, Jackson is a former NCAA champion with Kansas and logged several seasons in the NBA before carving out a successful pro career overseas. His rebounding, toughness, and vocal presence make him vital to the team's identity.
  
  
• Joe Johnson (Co-Captain): A seven-time NBA All-Star and one of the most respected scorers of his generation, Johnson brings a steady hand, championship poise, and unmatched experience to the Amplifiers. He's a dominant player in the BIG3 and a three-time MVP.
  
  
• Ray Nixon (2025 BIG3 3rd Overall Draft Pick): A 6'8" forward from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Nixon played collegiate basketball at the University of Wisconsin, where he was known for his versatility and perimeter shooting. After a successful international career that included a championship in Japan, he joined the BIG3 in 2022, bringing leadership and reliable scoring. Nixon's sharpshooting prowess was on full display during the 2024 BIG3 season. He led the league in three-point shooting percentage, connecting on 52% of his attempts from beyond the arc.
  
  
• Shakur Juiston (2025 BIG3 14th Overall Draft Pick): A 6'7" forward from Newark, New Jersey, Juiston earned NJCAA Player of the Year honors before starring at UNLV and Oregon. Known for his rebounding and defensive energy, he has built a professional career overseas with stops in Greece, Germany, and Israel.

"We're proud of how this team came together," said Skyler Stone, part of the Detroit Amplifiers owner group and co-founder of GameAbove Sports. "Our draft picks reflect the Amplifiers' identity—hard-working, unrelenting, and built for Detroit. I'm extremely happy with our roster! We picked based on the players we needed, and we got who we hoped for. We'll be that mean dark horse for everybody this season."

The Amps will hold training camp June 9–12 in Detroit. Fans can catch the Amplifiers live when the BIG3 arrives at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday, July 20th. Tickets are available now at BIG3.com/tickets.

About the Detroit Amplifiers
The Detroit Amplifiers are Detroit's official franchise in the BIG3's new city-based era. Owned by GameAbove Sports, a global investor in thoughtfully chosen sports teams and academies, serving as a strategic partner focused on promoting the future of sports excellence.

About BIG3
On January 11, 2017, the BIG3 was born. The first-ever professional FIREBALL3 league is the brainchild of producer, actor, and music legend Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz, who shared a vision of a player-centric league focused on entertainment and innovation. The BIG3 is a league with no garbage minutes, where trash talk is allowed, defense is emphasized, fast-paced action, and where every point –whether it's a 4-point or 3-point shot – counts. Any given BIG3 team has hall of famers, icons and trailblazers, and the next best 3-on-3 player.

The league has led the sports industry in diversity and opportunity, becoming the first professional sports league to implement a mental health policy, favor CBD as a pain management alternative to opioids, enlist female coaches of men, and appoint a black Commissioner in Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler, who is also professional sports first former player serving as Commissioner.  The inaugural CEO was the legendary, incomparable Raider executive Amy Trask. This January 2024, BIG3 co-founder Ice Cube was honored at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, where he received the inaugural Ice Cube Impact Award, acknowledging individuals making substantial contributions to their community, the first non-player to be recognized. Founders Ice Cube and Jeffrey Kwatinetz are missioned to better society as BIG3 pursues business success while also helping to break down stereotypes, promote diversity in sports, create opportunities for black, brown, and female athletes beyond the court, and support the black, youth and basketball communities overall.