Grammy-winning rapper J. Cole is set to return to professional basketball after signing with the Nanjing Monkey Kings in China.
The deal, confirmed by ESPN on Wednesday, follows through on an earlier commitment by the artist to feature for the Chinese side. “J. Cole has signed a contract to play with the Nanjing Monkey Kings,” Shams Charania reported.
This marks the third time the American rapper will play professionally. He previously had short stints with the Rwanda Patriots in the Basketball Africa League and the Scarborough Shooting Stars in the Canadian Elite Basketball League, making limited appearances in both competitions.
Cole, who played basketball during his high school years in North Carolina, continues to pursue the sport alongside a highly successful music career.
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He will join a Nanjing team currently struggling in the Chinese Basketball Association standings, sitting 17th with an 11–21 record this season.
Away from the court, Cole remains a major force in music. He won the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Rap Song for “A Lot” with 21 Savage and has worked with top acts such as Kendrick Lamar, Janet Jackson and Young Thug.
His latest album, The Fall-Off, was released in February, highlighting his continued presence in music even as he takes on another professional basketball challenge.