J. Cole Recaps His Basketball Run in the CBA

Rapper J. Cole has concluded a brief professional basketball stint in China, participating in a single game for the Nanjing Monkey Kings of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) before returning to the United States.

On April 13, 2026, Cole shared an update via his personal blog regarding his experience with the club. While he was originally scheduled to appear in three games, a delay in obtaining his work visa limited his participation to one contest.

Game Performance and Statistics

Cole made his CBA debut on Saturday, April 12, 2026, appearing off the bench for the Nanjing Monkey Kings in a game against the Long-Lions. The Monkey Kings lost the matchup 95-81.

During his eight minutes of play, Cole recorded one assist and one rebound. He finished the game scoreless, shooting 0-for-5 from the field.

Reflecting on the performance in his blog post, Cole noted that while he was unable to make a shot, he felt fulfilled and grateful for the opportunity to play in one of the world’s top leagues.

I got to play 8 minutes in one of the top leagues in the world, got a few good looks but wasn’t able to hit one. A couple more games and maybe those shots would have started to fall!

J. Cole

Professional Basketball Background

The appearance in China ended a four-year sabbatical from professional basketball for the 41-year-old artist, who celebrated his birthday on January 28, 2026.

Cole’s previous professional experience includes a stint in 2021 with the Patriots Basketball Club in the Basketball Africa League and a four-game run in 2022 with the Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League.

Prior to the game, Cole told Cam’Ron in an interview that he wanted to return to a formal basketball setting while he was still physically capable, acknowledging his age and viewing the opportunity as a potential final chance to compete.

Experience in China

Beyond the court, Cole described the atmosphere in China as very peaceful and highlighted the experience of visiting the country with his family for the first time.

He also expressed surprise at the level of support he received from local fans, noting that many people attended the game and brought albums for him to sign.

Upcoming Schedule

Following his departure from the CBA, Cole is shifting his focus back to his music career. He is currently preparing for The Fall-Off World Tour, which is scheduled to begin in July 2026 and run through December 2026.