Grammy Award-winning rapper J. Cole has signed a contract with the Nanjing Monkey Kings to compete in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). The 41-year-old music superstar, whose real name is Jermaine Cole, marks his third venture into professional basketball.
J. Cole’s Basketball Background
Cole first committed to playing a limited number of games for the Monkey Kings last year and now fulfills that agreement. In 2021, he suited up for the Rwanda Patriots in the Basketball Africa League. The following year, he joined the Scarborough Shooting Stars in Canada.
Born on a U.S. military base in Germany, Cole grew up in North Carolina, where he excelled in high school basketball. He also holds a minority ownership stake in the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets.
Music Achievements
Beyond sports, Cole boasts six Platinum albums and has produced tracks for artists like Kendrick Lamar. His latest release, The Fall-Off, dropped earlier this year.
Washington Wizards’ April Fools’ Prank Sparks Backlash
The Washington Wizards face criticism for an April Fools’ Day stunt during their 153-131 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Team staff invited a fan to attempt a blindfolded half-court shot for a $10,000 prize.
The shot sailed high over the rim, but mascots immediately swarmed the fan in celebration. The announcer exclaimed, “Somebody’s rich!” Only after viewing the replay did the fan realize the prank.
