J. Cole has returned to the U.S. after playing just one game in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) for the Nanjing Monkey Kings. His brief stint was announced on April 1 by ESPN's Shams Charania.
J. Cole 041326
J. Cole has returned to the U.S. after one game in the CBA originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Just after one game, J. Cole has returned to the U.S. following his stint playing for the CBA.
On April 1, it was announced per ESPN's Shams Charania that the rapper would be playing for the Nanjing Monkey Kings.
"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," the ESPN Senior NBA Insider wrote.
Cole, who just played in his first game for the Nanjing Monkey Kings on Saturday, April 11, against the Guangzhou Loong Lions where they fell 95-81. He, however, has announced that he is back in the U.S. after he promised to play at least three game.
"Initially I was scheduled to play in at least 3 games for the Nanjing Monkey Kings of the CBA," wrote in his online blog Inevitable. "The work visa process took way longer than expected, so I was only able to play in one before heading back."
He did however, share he would like to be back after he wraps up his summer tour in support of his February release The Fall Off.
"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. I'm wildin???? we'll see. DREAMER"
This is the third time Cole has played overseas. He previously played in the Basketball Africa League in 2021 and the Canadian Elite Basketball League in 2022.
Cole released The Fall Off, which has been speculated to be the rapper's last studio album, although he has still promised to continue to make music as he sees fit. The Fall Off tour begins on July 11 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The specific reasons for J. Cole's departure from the CBA after just one game have not been disclosed.
J. Cole played for the Nanjing Monkey Kings in the Chinese Basketball Association.
J. Cole's signing with the Nanjing Monkey Kings was announced on April 1 by ESPN's Shams Charania.
LIV Golf's future appears uncertain as reports suggest Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund may withdraw funding after investing $5 billion. Despite assurances for the 2026 season, the tour faces challenges from low ratings and strong competition from the PGA Tour.
Mike Trout's 446-foot HR joins him with Aaron Judge in Yankee Stadium lore.
Detroit Tigers projected to take a risk on a 6'3" prep bat in the MLB draft.
Arshdeep Singh makes history as the first PBKS bowler to reach 100 IPL wickets!
California's top high school football prospects are on the move this weekend.
Viktor Hovland shines with a 64 at RBC Heritage, Gotterup scores 70.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.