J. Cole’s Journey into Professional Basketball
Grammy-Award-winning rapper J. Cole has recently signed a contract with the Nanjing Monkey Kings to play in the Chinese Basketball Association. This marks another exciting chapter in his career, as he continues to explore different avenues beyond music.
J. Cole, whose real name is Jermaine, is a music megastar who has won numerous awards, including at the Grammy Awards and Billboard Music Awards. He is also a minority owner in the Charlotte Hornets NBA team. On Thursday, it was reported that Cole is making his third foray into professional sports.
The rap star reportedly committed to playing a handful of games for the Monkey Kings last year and is now keeping that promise. Back in 2021, Cole played for the Rwanda Patriots in the Basketball Africa League, and the following year he played in Canada with the Scarborough Shooting Stars.
J. Cole was born on a US military base in Germany before growing up in North Carolina, where he played high school basketball. 
A Successful Music Career
The 41-year-old has made six Platinum albums and has also produced songs for fellow megastars including Kendrick Lamar. Cole’s most recent album, ‘The Fall-Off,’ was released earlier this year. His contributions to the music industry have been significant, and his work continues to inspire many.
The Washington Wizards’ April Fools’ Day Prank
Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards came under fire over an April Fools’ Day prank that went wrong. On Wednesday night, during their 153-131 defeat by the Philadelphia 76ers, the Wizards called up a ‘fan’ to attempt a blindfolded half-court shot to win $10,000.
His attempt flew high over the basket, but he was soon swarmed by mascots who cheered as though he had made the shot. The announcer, meanwhile, called out: ‘Somebody’s rich!’
It wasn’t until the ‘supporter’ saw a replay of his wayward shot that the prank became clear. Following a backlash, the Wizards apologized for the ‘joke that left many wondering if we had misled the fan.’
‘The skit involving our mascot and other members of our performance team was scripted and intended to celebrate the day. All participants were in on the joke, but we missed the mark. Our fans are our priority, and we continue to be committed to providing a positive experience to all who attend our games.’
