Musical icon J. Cole is preparing to take his talents to the professional basketball courts of China. According to reports from Shams Charania of ESPN, the multi-platinum artist has secured a contract with the Nanjing Monkey Kings of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), fulfilling a goal he set for himself last year.
Previous Professional Basketball Experience
This move is not the rapper's first foray into professional sports. Cole previously showcased his skills in 2021 as a member of the Patriots Basketball Club in Rwanda, where he competed in the Basketball Africa League. During that stint, he participated in three games, averaging 15.2 minutes, 5 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Following that, in 2022, he joined the Scarborough Shooting Stars in the Canadian Elite Basketball League. Over the course of five appearances, he recorded an average of 2.4 points while playing 9.9 minutes per game. His basketball resume also includes appearances in the NBA Celebrity Game and serving as the featured athlete for the special Dreamer Edition of NBA 2K23.
From Collegiate Ambitions to Musical Stardom
Before his recent professional endeavors, Cole’s court experience was rooted in his high school varsity years and a challenging attempt to join the team at St. John’s University. While he managed to receive a callback during tryouts, he ultimately did not make the roster. Reflecting on that pivotal moment in an interview with Sports Illustrated, he noted how the outcome shifted his life's trajectory:
«That was the moment where I decided that basketball was a pipe dream. It wasn't what I wanted to spend my next three or four years chasing. And that music was absolutely what I wanted to do. It was a hard decision, and that's assuming I make the team. Knowing my personality, not only would I have made it, but I would have done my best to be something of a player and get clock. I'd have been like a Jamario Moon, one of these guys that worked his whole life just to get to the league. I just got that type of spirit that does not quit.»
While his decision to prioritize his music career clearly paid off, leading to international stardom, it appears the performer is now finding time to revisit his passion for basketball at a professional level.