J. Cole, professional basketball player? We'll see if it works out for him.
The 36-year-old rapper is expected to join the Rwanda Patriots BBC for the upcoming inaugural season of the Basketball Africa League, according to The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears, who noted that J. Cole is currently quarantining in order to play in the 12-team league. The New Times Rwanda first reported that J. Cole was on the team's roster.
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#BREAKING: American rapper J. Cole @JColeNC is in Rwanda and could feature for local side Patriots at the upcoming Basketball Africa League.
— The New Times (Rwanda) (@NewTimesRwanda) May 9, 2021
The New Times has learned he is on the club's roster for the competition. pic.twitter.com/mhHOBCAvhx
J. Cole's signing is set to become official on Thursday, per Spears. The Rwanda Patriots will face the Nigeria River Hoopers in their season opener on Sunday (7 a.m. ET, ESPNEWS).
Born Jermaine Lamarr Cole, the Grammy Award-winning artist was a high school standout in North Carolina before walking on to the St. John's University men's basketball team. He has also participated in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and previously talked about pursuing an NBA career.
Master P says J. Cole is considering trying to earn an NBA contract 👀
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 2, 2020
“When I talked to J. Cole, he was like, ‘You know, big dog, you did it. What do you think I would have to do to make it happen?’”
(via @TMZ_Sports | 📹 @Cbrickley603) pic.twitter.com/z9eNhXT35u
The Basketball Africa League was initially scheduled to start in March 2020 but was postponed amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The 12 teams from across Africa will be divided into three groups of four, and the top eight teams from the group phase will enter the playoffs, which will be single elimination in each round.
