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There is no falling for J. Cole.
The 41-year-old rapper, who recently released his seventh studio album, “The Fall Off,” will play professional basketball in China, he announced recently.
ESPN reported that the two-time Grammy Award winner, whose real name is Jermaine Cole, signed a contract with the Nanjing Monkey Kings of the Chinese Basketball Association.
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Jermaine Cole of Patriots Basketball Club dribbles the ball against Marcus Christopher Crawford of Union Sportive Monastirienne during the second half at Kigali Arena in Kigali, Rwanda on May 22, 2021. (Nicole Sweet/BAL/Basketball Africa League/Getty Images)
Cole has played professional basketball overseas before, suiting up for the Basketball Africa League’s Rwanda Patriots in 2021 and the Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League the following year.
The Fayetteville, North Carolina native hinted at the news last week in an interview with Revolt.
“Basketball is like me just trying to scratch one last itch off, yo, let me see if I can do this,” Cole said during the interview. “Could I train and be able to play professionally because these teams in these leagues look at it like, ‘He’s not a –. He can come and be on the field and he can give our league some publicity.'”
Cole said the Monkey Kings offered him to play for them last year.
Jermaine Cole of Patriots Basketball Club drives the ball against Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club during the second half at Kigali Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, May 16, 2021. The game marked the start of the inaugural regular season of the 12-team league, a partnership between the NBA and FIBA. (Nicole Sweet/BAL/Basketball Africa League via Getty Images)
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“I’m looking at the clock like, boy, I’m getting older. This could be my last shot. I’m going to keep my word to them and show up and play a few games, even though I know I’m not in the best shape because the album. I’m going to go out and have fun with it.”
Cole joined the mainstream rap game in the early 2010s, with his debut album, “Cole World: The Sideline Story,” released in 2011, featuring hits like “Work Out” and “In The Morning” featuring fellow basketball fan Drake.
Jermaine Cole of the Patriots Basketball Club is congratulated by teammate Brandon Costner during the second half against the Rivers Hoopers at the Kigali Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, on May 16, 2021, the start of the inaugural Basketball Africa League season. (Nicole Sweet/BAL/Basketball Africa League via Getty Images)
Cole is also a minority owner of the Charlotte Hornets as part of the group that bought the organization from Michael Jordan for $3 billion.
