Why J Cole playing professional basketball in Africa is massive
According to Stadium and The Athletic’s Shams Charania, J Cole is signing a deal with the Basketball Africa League’s Rwanda’s Patriots B.B.C. The rapper is expected to play 3-6 games, starting on Sunday vs. Nigeria.
Cole was a walk-on at St. Johns, and his basketball prowess has long been understood. Joining the Basketball Africa League not only provides the league with worldwide exposure, but also gives fans a chance to see Cole playing professional ball.
First an album, then a game?
As stated before, J. Cole is slated to play his first game in Africa on Sunday. But before then, on Friday, his long awaited album is expected to drop. The content king even dropped a documentary in anticipation of the album.
For the biggest die-hard fans, and casuals alike, it is undeniable J. Cole is a captivating character.
Last year, J. Cole released an article on The Player’s Tribune speaking of his interest in playing professional basketball. The intrigue even picked up so much that the Detroit Pistons offered him a chance to try out for the team.
So for Cole, who has long been a multifaceted star, why now? Not only is J. Cole’s music going to take over the musical world and dominate the airwaves this weekend, but now his basketball ability is going to as well.
I’m tapped in to witness greatness live. Are you?
What does this mean for J. Cole and African basketball?
J. Cole touched down in Africa two days ago, according to The Undefeated. He is now quarantining.
The Basketball Africa League is headed to begin its inaugural season. While it was scheduled to begin in March 2020, delays have caused the timetable to begin on May 16, 2021.
The league is a partnership between FIBA and the NBA. It is thus the NBA’s first collaboration to operate a league outside of North America.
J Cole is a headlining signing for the new league in Africa. It is a win-win situation, because for both sides there is not much to lose. J Cole gets to hoop on a professional level, but with little expectations. And the Basketball Africa League gets an influx of fans who follow J Cole everywhere, though it usually stops at music.
We wish the best of luck for Cole on this brief stop. And we are ecstatic to see how the Basketball Africa League grows as the years go on.