J. Cole ends China basketball stint after visa delays limit him to single game
Professional Basketball - The Grammy-winning rapper's time with the Nanjing Monkey Kings was cut short due to work visa complications, allowing him only one appearance in the Chinese Basketball Association despite originally planning to play at least three games.
Jun 7, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Recording artist J. Cole walks off the court after game three of the 2023 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Rap superstar J. Cole has officially concluded his professional basketball journey in China after playing just one game for the Nanjing Monkey Kings. The two-time Grammy winner announced Tuesday that visa complications forced an early end to what was supposed to be a multi-game stint in the Chinese Basketball Association.
« The work visa process took way longer than expected, so I was only able to play in one before heading back, » Cole explained in his statement. The 41-year-old artist had originally signed with the Nanjing Monkey Kings in April with plans to play at least three games for the club.
Eight minutes on court, lasting memories off it
Cole’s lone appearance came in Saturday’s 81-95 home loss to the Guangzhou Loong Lions at the packed Wutaishan Sports Center. Playing eight minutes, the 1.91m rapper struggled offensively, missing all five of his shot attempts – all 3-points – while recording one rebound and one assist. Despite the scoreless performance, Cole received a standing ovation from the enthusiastic Nanjing crowd.
« I got to play 8 minutes in one of the top leagues in the world, got a few good looks but wasn’t able to hit one, » Cole reflected. « A couple more games and maybe those shots would have started to fall! Either way I’m fulfilled and grateful! »
The experience marked Cole’s third venture into professional basketball, following previous stints with the Rwanda Patriots in the Basketball Africa League in 2021 and the Scarborough Shooting Stars in the Canadian Elite Basketball League in 2022. The North Carolina high school basketball player has consistently pursued his hoops dreams alongside his successful music career.
Beyond basketball, Cole emphasized how much he valued experiencing China for the first time with his family. « The people were kind, the cities are clean and beautiful. It’s a very peaceful place, » he noted, particularly impressed by the high-speed rail system that allowed him to travel from Nanjing to Shanghai in about an hour.
The artist was also surprised by his Chinese fanbase, saying he « didn’t realize there were so many people in China that rocked with my music. » Cole left open the possibility of returning to the Monkey Kings after completing The Fall-Off World Tour, stating: « I told the team that if I could stay in shape, I would be down to play for a longer amount of games next year after I’m done with tour. »
Sylvain Sultat follows the NBA on a daily basis, covering individual performances, team dynamics, and the league's greatest stories. On Be-Basketball, he breaks down the latest American basketball news with passion and consistency, always on the lookout for the trends shaping the world of basketball.
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