American rapper Jermaine Lamarr Cole, known as “J. Cole” has signed with the Nanjing Monkey Kings, marking his entry into the top-tier Chinese Basketball Association, the club said.
At 41, Cole is poised to surpass Stephon Marbury – who retired at 40 – as the oldest overseas player in Chinese league history. Standing 1.88 meters tall, Cole plays as a guard-forward and has long harbored ambitions in basketball.
He reportedly gave up competing at NCAA level to focus on a music career, but remained active in the sport, appearing in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game in 2012 and previously receiving a workout invitation from the Detroit Pistons.
A multiple Grammy Award winner with several platinum-certified albums, Cole had earlier pledged to play a handful of games for Nanjing. Club general manager Wang Zhen welcomed the signing on social media, citing the team’s motto: “Big stage, big dreams.”
He revealed that Cole had shared his aspiration of becoming a professional basketball player during a meeting in the United States last July.
“He wants to chase that dream, and it aligns with our philosophy,” Wang said.
“His presence will help elevate the CBA’s global profile. We’re looking forward to seeing what he can bring on the court.”
The club also noted that Cole holds a stake in the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, raising hopes for future cooperation, including opportunities for Chinese players to train or compete in the United States and the introduction of more international talent to the CBA.
This marks Cole’s third stint in professional basketball. He previously played in the Basketball Africa League in 2021 and the Canadian Elite Basketball League in 2022.
The Monkey Kings have endured an underwhelming season and are unlikely to reach the playoffs. However, ticketing platforms show heightened interest, with their April 13 game against Jilin upgraded to a marquee matchup, accompanied by a rise in ticket prices.
Following his arrival, Cole shared a video on the Chinese social media platform Douyin, saying: “I’m excited to be in the facility.”
Xinhua
