Trending Now - J. Cole Joins Chinese Basketball League With Nanjing Monkey Kings

WHO:

Sportskeeda - J. Cole is a two-time Grammy Award-winner.

ESPN - J. Cole played high school basketball in North Carolina.

ESPN - Rapper J. Cole, whose full name is Jermaine Cole, is a multi-Grammy-Award-winning and multi-Platinum artist.

NY Post - J. Cole is an alumnus of St. John’s University.

WHAT:

ESPN - J. Cole has signed a contract to play in the Chinese Basketball Association with the Nanjing Monkey Kings, following through on a commitment made in 2025.

Billboard - J. Cole has previously played professionally for the Rwanda Patriots in 2021 and the Scarborough Shooting Stars in 2022.

ESPN - J. Cole has signed a contract to play in the Chinese Basketball Association with the Nanjing Monkey Kings.

Sportskeeda - J. Cole is taking his talents to China after signing with the Nanjing Monkey Kings of the Chinese Basketball Association.

ESPN - J. Cole is following through on his commitment to play a few games for the Nanjing Monkey Kings in 2026.

ESPN - J. Cole has won a Grammy in 2020 for Best Rap Song ("A Lot" by 21 Savage featuring J. Cole).

ESPN - J. Cole has produced songs for artists including Kendrick Lamar, Janet Jackson, and Young Thug.

ESPN - J. Cole has signed a contract to play in the Chinese Basketball Association with the Nanjing Monkey Kings.

ESPN - J. Cole had committed to playing a few games for the Nanjing Monkey Kings in 2025 and is now following through.

ESPN - This is the third time J. Cole has played in a professional sports league.

WHERE:

ESPN - The Nanjing Monkey Kings are part of the Chinese Basketball Association.

ESPN - J. Cole 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.

WHEN:

ESPN - J. Cole's latest album, "The Fall-Off," was released in February 2026.

ESPN - J. Cole played with the Rwanda Patriots in 2021.

ESPN - J. Cole played with the Scarborough Shooting Stars in 2022.

ESPN - J. Cole's latest album, "The Fall-Off," was released in February 2026.

WHY:

NY Post - J. Cole expressed a desire to "scratch a last itch" by playing professional basketball, indicating a personal motivation for his return to the sport.

NY Post - J. Cole expressed a desire to "scratch a last itch" by playing professional basketball.

HOW:

ESPN - J. Cole's contract signing was reported by sources to ESPN.

(UPDATED April 2, 2026 19:18 UTC)

J. Cole has officially signed a contract to play in the Chinese Basketball Association with the Nanjing Monkey Kings, fulfilling a commitment he made in 2025. Before this, he played professionally for the Rwanda Patriots in 2021 and the Scarborough Shooting Stars in 2022. This move marks another chapter in the rapper's unique journey in the world of professional basketball.

(UPDATED April 2, 2026 17:15 UTC)

J. Cole, a two-time Grammy Award-winner, has signed a contract to play in the Chinese Basketball Association with the Nanjing Monkey Kings. This move comes shortly after the release of his latest album, "The Fall-Off," in February 20th26. J. Cole has shared that he wants to "scratch a last itch" by returning to professional basketball, highlighting his personal motivation for this new chapter.

(UPDATED April 2, 2026 15:17 UTC)

J. Cole is making headlines by signing with the Nanjing Monkey Kings of the Chinese Basketball Association, marking his return to professional basketball. The rapper shared that he wants to "scratch a last itch" by playing the sport, highlighting a personal motivation behind this move. This decision comes as he takes his talents to China, blending his music career with his passion for basketball.

(UPDATED April 2, 2026 11:14 UTC)

J. Cole is set to fulfill his commitment to play a few games for the Nanjing Monkey Kings in 2026. The rapper has expressed a desire to "scratch a last itch" by returning to professional basketball, highlighting a personal motivation behind this decision. Fans can look forward to seeing him hit the court once again.

(UPDATED April 2, 2026 07:19 UTC)

J. Cole, who played high school basketball in North Carolina, recently released his latest album, "The Fall-Off," in February 20th26. He won a Grammy in 2020 for Best Rap Song with "A Lot," a collaboration with 21 Savage, and has produced tracks for renowned artists like Kendrick Lamar, Janet Jackson, and Young Thug. With a diverse career in music and sports, J. Cole continues to make a significant impact in the entertainment industry.

(UPDATED April 2, 2026 05:30 UTC)

Rapper J. Cole, a multi-Grammy Award-winning artist and alumnus of St. John’s University, has signed a contract to play for the Nanjing Monkey Kings in the Chinese Basketball Association. This marks the third time J. Cole has participated in a professional sports league, having previously played with the Rwanda Patriots in 2021 and the Scarborough Shooting Stars in 2022. J. Cole, who recently released his album "The Fall-Off" in February 20th26, expressed a desire to "scratch a last itch" by pursuing his passion for professional basketball.