Renowned rapper J. Cole’s brief stint with the Nanjing Monkey Kings of the Chinese Basketball Association has come to an unexpected end due to visa complications. The artist, whose real name is Jermaine Lemarr Cole, shared updates about his basketball journey in a recent blog post.
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In April, the 41-year-old musician announced his intention to join the Nanjing Monkey Kings, excited about the opportunity to showcase his basketball skills at a professional level in China. However, during his time in the country, he encountered significant delays in the work visa application process. As a result, Cole was only able to participate in a single game before returning to the United States.
Reflecting on his experience, Cole wrote, “Initially, I was scheduled to play in at least three games for the Nanjing Monkey Kings. The work visa process took way longer than expected, so I was only able to play in one game before heading back.” His participation in the game took place on April 11, where he played for approximately eight minutes.
Despite limited playing time, Cole expressed gratitude to the Nanjing Monkey Kings for the opportunity. He praised his teammates for their support and claimed to have had several scoring chances, albeit without success. “I got a few good looks but wasn’t able to hit one,” he remarked, hinting at the possibility that success might have come with more game time.
During his post-game reflections, Cole shared his surprise at the support he received from fans in China, noting the number of people who brought items for him to sign. “I didn’t know there were so many people in China that rocked with my music!” said Cole, who felt an overwhelming energy from the audience. “I appreciate it! I could feel that you all wanted me to hit those shots too,” he added.
Looking ahead, Cole mentioned to the team his hopes to continue playing in the future, contingent on maintaining his fitness. He expressed a desire to participate in more games after his current tour wraps up, indicating a potential return to professional basketball next year.
Earlier, during an episode of the podcast “Talk with Flee”, Cole had teased his fans about playing “a couple of games” for a Chinese basketball team. His signing with the Nanjing Monkey Kings was confirmed shortly thereafter by ESPN. Additionally, Cole released a video on Douyin, a popular Chinese social media platform, expressing his enthusiasm about joining the team.
This isn’t the first time that J. Cole has dabbled in professional basketball. He previously played for the Rwanda Patriots in the Basketball Africa League in 2021 and suited up for the Scarborough Shooting Stars in the Canadian Elite Basketball League. His engagement in basketball dates back to his high school days in North Carolina, where he developed his skills on the court.
For the time being, fans of the rapper and basketball enthusiast alike will have to wait and see if he returns to court next season. Cole’s aspiration to merge his music career with his basketball passion continues to capture the attention of both his fanbase and sports communities, highlighting his multifaceted talents.