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    J. Cole Joins Chinese Basketball Team Nanjing Monkey Kings

    MIAMI, FLORIDA – JUNE 07: J Cole is seen in attendance during Game Three of the 2023 NBA Finals between the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on June 07, 2023 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

    J. Cole is stepping back onto the court, officially joining the Nanjing Monkey Kings in China’s professional basketball league. The Grammy-winning rapper continues to pursue his long-standing passion for basketball, marking another chapter in his unique crossover between music and sports.

    This move marks Cole’s third stint playing professional basketball. He previously played for the Rwanda Patriots in the Basketball Africa League in 2021 and later joined the Scarborough Shooting Stars in Canada’s Elite Basketball League in 2022.

    Cole has been open about his desire to test himself athletically, describing basketball as a personal goal he still wants to fulfill. The opportunity with the Monkey Kings comes after the team had reportedly been interested in bringing him on board as early as last year.

    Despite balancing a successful music career, including the recent release of his album The Fall-Off, Cole continues to make time for the sport he’s loved since his youth. His latest move highlights his commitment to exploring passions beyond music while continuing to inspire fans across multiple industries.