Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

J. Cole's Basketball Stint Ends After One Game

4/15/2026

24 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

J. Cole (the musician)'s brief stint with the Nanjing Monkey Kings ended after one game due to visa delays.
He played eight minutes against the Guangzhou Loong Loons, recording no points, one rebound, and one assist.
This marks his third pro basketball attempt after Basketball Africa League (BAL) and the Canadian Elite Basketball League.
He will support The Fall-Off with a world tour starting in July.

History

Historical Context

The Nanjing Monkey Kings, a professional basketball team in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), faced visa challenges for foreign players in 2021, impacting their roster. Since the CBA's inception in 1995, international talent has surged, with over 30 foreign players participating. This trend highlights basketball's globalization, as artists like J. Cole navigate complex regulations to merge sports and entertainment careers.

1 of 2

Story summary

J. Cole (the musician)'s brief stint with the Nanjing Monkey Kings ended after one game due to visa delays.
He played eight minutes against the Guangzhou Loong Loons, recording no points, one rebound, and one assist.
This marks his third pro basketball attempt after Basketball Africa League (BAL) and the Canadian Elite Basketball League.
He will support The Fall-Off with a world tour starting in July.

1 / 2