BIG3’s Jeff Kwatinetz Doubles Down on Kobe, ‘I’m Told He’ll Play’

EXCLUSIVE

BIG3 co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz is NOT throwing in the towel on Kobe Bryant playing in his league next season — telling TMZ Sports he trusts his source. 

After Kobe’s rep shot down Jeff’s previous claim that he’d be suiting up for the 2019 season, we saw JK out in NYC … and he made it clear he’s not backing down. 

“There’s no mix-up. Someone who’s a good source, who I’m not gonna reveal, says he’s gonna play.”

Jeff acknowledges Kobe’s been telling people it’s not true — but Kwatinetz doesn’t believe it’s a hard pass … at least not yet. 

“Every year we have guys who say they’re not gonna play who end up playing,” Jeff said … adding, “I don’t know that he’s not coming. I’ll know in February. I think that’s the truth.”

Jeff also said he’s spoken with Jason Terry — who said he WILL play next season. 

“I’m the source on that one because he told me himself.”

As we previously reported, Molly Carter — who runs Kobe, Inc. — told TMZ Sports he’s “100%” not playing in the BIG3. Vanessa Bryant also claimed Kobe is done playing basketball. 

Ice Cube told us earlier this week he doesn’t think Kobe will come back — but he’s not closing the door on the Lakers superstar either.