J. Cole’s return to professional basketball was short-lived, as he parted ways with the Chinese Basketball Association after just one appearance due to reported visa issues.

He suited up for the Nanjing Monkey Kings, playing 8 minutes in his debut against the Guangzhou Loong Lions and finishing with 0 points on 0/5 shooting, along with 1 rebound and 1 assist in an 81–95 loss.

Despite the stat line, Cole kept the mindset intact, saying he “felt like he dropped 20” after the game — a reminder that for him, this wasn’t just about numbers, but the experience of competing at that level again.

This wasn’t his first time balancing music and basketball either. Cole previously played in Rwanda’s Basketball Africa League and has consistently shown he takes the sport seriously, not just as a hobby but as a real pursuit.

Even though the stint ended quickly, it adds another chapter to one of the more unique crossovers between music and professional sports.