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J. Cole left the Chinese Basketball Association sooner than expected due to issues with his work visa.
In a late-night post he shared to his blog on Monday, April 13, the North Carolina native explained that he had to wait in Hong Kong to play ball for the Nanjing Monkey Kings. He was set to appear in three games and played in his first game two weeks ago. He only played for eight minutes and didn't score any points, but he still appreciated the opportunity. Unfortunately, that was the only game he was able to participate in.
"The work visa process took way longer than expected, so I was only able to play in one before heading back," Cole explained. "I want to say thank you to the Nanjing club and to the CBA for allowing me to have that incredible experience. Also to my teammates who were mad cool, and who really wanted me to get a bucket!"
This was J. Cole's third time playing for an international basketball league. He started his basketball career as a teenager playing for Terry Sanford High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina. In 2021, Cole was signed to play with the Patriots Basketball Club based in Rwanda. He also inked a deal to play for the Scarborough Shooting Stars in the Canadian Elite Basketball League in 2022. Yahoo! Sports reports Cole averaged 2.4 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 0.4 assists during his four-game run. While in the CBA, Cole got one assist and one rebound.
"A couple more games and maybe those shots would have started to fall!" he continued. "Either way I'm fulfilled and grateful! Shit, I feel like I dropped 20 !!! 😂 And my knees felt like I played 40 minutes! 😩"
At least J. Cole will have more time to prepare for his upcoming tour. The 41-year-old rapper is set to hit the road this summer in support of his new album The Fall-Off. Tickets are on sale now.