J. Cole just scored big on his latest album “The Off-Season.” But the rapper's hot streak is extending beyond the music scene.
The Grammy-winning artist is also a renowned beast on the basketball court. Listed at 6-foot-2, J. Cole has some size on the court and the skills to compete at a relatively high level. Enough, in fact, to get signed by the Rwanda Patriots to a professional contract for the inaugural season of the Basketball Africa League.
J. Cole is one of two import signings by Rwanda's Patriots B.B.C. team in Basketball Africa League, joining former NC State star Brandon Costner.
Album drops on Friday. First pro basketball game in FIBA/NBA league on Sunday. https://t.co/gXytKIDQvN
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 10, 2021
J. Cole got his first points the easy way, hustling for an uncontested rebound and putback. Check out his first bucket below:
J. Cole's first bucket with the Patriots BBC‼️
📺: ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/GtI8E1mc5k
— ESPN (@espn) May 16, 2021
Basketball is clearly a huge source of inspiration in the life of J. Cole, both as a player and spectator. In his latest album, the artist had several shoutouts to current NBA stars, who were more than glad to be name-dropped on his tracks.




One such reference was for Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard, who also reacted to his inclusion in J.Cole's song entitled “p u n c h i n' . t h e . c l o c k.”
💯 Cole a real one… album 🔥🔥 https://t.co/4ZBEfFVZtG
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) May 14, 2021
But J.Cole is no slouch on the hardwood, either. He detailed his hoops journey as a young kid growing up in a riveting piece via The Players' Tribune entitled “The Audacity.” J. Cole's talent and passion for the game are both unquestioned. He may have never reached the NBA, but at least he has gotten a shot at playing at the professional level like he'd always dreamed.