NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
There’s no downfall 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 recently announced.
ESPN reported that the two-time Grammy Award winner, real name Jermaine Cole, has signed a contract with the Nanjing Monkey Kings of the Chinese Basketball Association.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Jermaine Cole of Patriots Basketball Club dribbles the ball against Marcus Christopher Crawford of Union Sportive Monastirienne during the second half at the Kigali Arena in Kigali, Rwanda on May 22, 2021. (Nicole Sweet/BAL/African Basketball League/Getty Images)
Cole has previously played professional basketball overseas, playing for the Rwanda Patriots of the Basketball Africa League in 2021 and the Scarborough Shooting Stars in 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 I’m just trying to scratch one last itch, yo, let me see if I can do that,” 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 on the field and he can bring publicity to our league.'”
Cole said the Monkey Kings asked him to play for them last year.
Jermaine Cole of the Patriots Basketball Club passes the ball against the Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club during the second half at the Kigali Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, May 16, 2021. The match marked the start of the inaugural regular season of the 12-team league, a partnership between the NBA and FIBA. (Nicole Sweet/BAL/African Basketball League via Getty Images)
MAGICIANS APOLOGIZE AFTER FAN COUNTERPLAY ON HALF-COURT PRANK; SKIT “DESINTED TO CELEBRATE” APRIL FOOLS
“I’m looking at the clock like, boy, I’m getting old. This might be my last chance. I’m going to keep my word to them and show up and play some games, even though I know I’m not in the best shape because of the album. I’m going to go out there 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, which featured hits like “Work Out” and “In The Morning” with 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 regular season of the Basketball Africa League. (Nicole Sweet/BAL/African Basketball League via Getty Images)
Cole is also a minority owner of the Charlotte Hornets as part of the group that purchased the organization from Michael Jordan for $3 billion.
