Grammy Award Winner J. Cole signs with Chinese Basketball Association’s Nanjing Monkey Kings
July 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Recording artist J. Cole (Jermaine Lamarr Cole) performs live during Lollapalooza Music Festival at Grant Park. Mandatory Credit: Daniel DeSlover/ZUMA Wire via USA TODAY NETWORK
Rap megastar J. Cole has officially signed a contract to play in the Chinese Basketball Association with the Nanjing Monkey Kings, sources told ESPN on Wednesday. The multi-Grammy-Award-winning and multi-Platinum artist had committed to playing a few games for the Chinese team last year and is now following through on that commitment.
J. Cole has signed a contract to play in the Chinese Basketball Association with the Nanjing Monkey Kings, per ESPN sources. The multi-time Grammy award-winning and multi-platinum artist had committed to playing a few games for the Chinese team last year, and now follows through. pic.twitter.com/8fFyHv1fvY
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This marks the third time Cole, whose full name is Jermaine Cole, has ventured into professional basketball. The artist previously played with the Rwanda Patriots in the Basketball Africa League in 2021 and with the Scarborough Shooting Stars in the Canadian Elite Basketball League in 2022.
From North Carolina courts to international leagues
Cole’s basketball journey began during his high school years in North Carolina, where he developed his skills on the court alongside his burgeoning music career. His transition from the recording studio to professional basketball courts has become a unique aspect of his artistic persona.
Beyond basketball, Cole’s musical achievements speak for themselves. He won a Grammy in 2020 for Best Rap Song for « A Lot » by 21 Savage featuring J. Cole and has several BET Hip Hop Awards to his name. The artist also boasts six Platinum albums and has produced songs for major artists, including Kendrick Lamar, Janet Jackson and Young Thug.
His latest album, « The Fall-Off, » was released in February, continuing his successful music career while simultaneously pursuing his basketball ambitions. Cole’s ability to balance both entertainment and sports at a professional level demonstrates his versatility as a performer and athlete.
The signing with the Nanjing Monkey Kings represents another chapter in Cole’s unconventional career path, bridging the gap between hip-hop stardom and professional athletics across multiple continents.
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