Ayrton Oneill
J. Cole, born Jermaine Lamarr Cole, is a rapper and a professional basketball player. He played basketball at Terry Sanford High School in North Carolina and tried out as a walk-on at St. John's University. Cole has always been passionate about basketball and worked hard to improve his skills. He played his first professional basketball game in 2021 with the Rwanda Patriots Basketball Club in the Basketball Africa League and later signed with the Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. Cole has also been featured on the cover of basketball magazines and collaborated with Puma to release a signature shoe. While opinions vary on his skill level, Cole's pursuit of a professional basketball career has garnered attention and bolstered his credibility among fans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Jermaine Lamarr J. Cole |
| Date of Birth | 28 January 1985 |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Position | Point Guard |
| Teams | Scarborough Shooting Stars, Rwanda Patriots Basketball Club |
| Statistics | 1.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block |
| Professional Debut | 16 May 2021 |
| Albums Released Alongside Basketball Career | The Off-Season |
| Awards | Grammy Award for Best Rap Song, Billboard Music Award for Top Rap Album, 3 Soul Train Music Awards, 8 BET Hip Hop Awards |
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What You'll Learn
- J. Cole's basketball career started at Terry Sanford High School
- Cole's passion for basketball continued at St. John's University
- Cole's professional basketball debut was in 2021 with the Rwanda Patriots
- Cole's performance stats with the Patriots were modest
- Cole's love for basketball is reflected in his music and collaborations
J. Cole's basketball career started at Terry Sanford High School
Cole's love for basketball began in his childhood, and it continued alongside his musical pursuits. He served as a first-chair violinist for the Terry Sanford Orchestra until 2003, the same year he graduated high school. Cole then moved to New York City with aspirations of securing a recording contract and attended St. John's University on an academic scholarship.
After graduating from St. John's University, Cole continued to pursue his musical career, becoming one of the rap world's most acclaimed artists. However, he never lost sight of his passion for basketball. In 2012, he participated in the NBA All-Star Weekend Celebrity Game, playing for the Eastern Team. In 2013, Cole reaffirmed his love for the sport in an interview with Sports Illustrated, reflecting on how sports and rap both embody competitiveness.
In 2020, Cole wrote about his aspirations to play professional basketball, expressing his desire to train and eventually play overseas before working his way to the NBA. He took a step towards this goal in 2021 when he signed with the Rwanda-based Patriots Basketball Club in the Basketball Africa League. Cole made his professional debut on May 16, 2021, against the Rivers Hoopers, showcasing his skills with three points, three rebounds, and two assists in 17 minutes of play.
Cole's journey in basketball continued in 2022 when he signed with the Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. On June 7, 2022, he set a career-high in points, scoring six points in a game against the Newfoundland Growlers. Cole's dedication to basketball has been a constant throughout his life, running parallel to his successful musical career.
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Cole's passion for basketball continued at St. John's University
J. Cole's passion for basketball continued at St. John's University, where he moved with an academic scholarship. Cole played basketball at Terry Sanford High School in North Carolina and tried out as a walk-on at St. John's University, where he was one of 10 call-back players during his sophomore year. Cole's wife, Melissa Heholt, whom he met at St. John's University, is the Executive Director of the Dreamville Foundation.
In 2012, Cole played for the Eastern Team during the NBA All-Star Weekend Celebrity Game. The following year, he told Sports Illustrated:
> Sports is where it started for me. It parallels my life. Rap is such a competitive thing. That's why I have to watch sports. I got to keep up. It's my life in just another form.
In July 2020, Cole wrote an article for The Players' Tribune, where he talked about his goals after graduating college:
> If I can blow up in the next three years, that means I'll only be 27. That still might give me enough time to train and pursue a professional basketball career. I'll work hard enough to go play overseas and then try to work my way to the NBA.
Cole's dreams of becoming a professional basketball player came true when he signed a contract with the Rwanda-based Patriots Basketball Club in the Basketball Africa League in May 2021. He made his professional debut on May 16, 2021, finishing with three points, three rebounds, and two assists in 17 minutes. In June 2022, Cole signed with the Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League.
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Cole's professional basketball debut was in 2021 with the Rwanda Patriots
J. Cole, born Jermaine Lamarr Cole, is a rapper and a basketball player. During his youth, Cole expressed an affinity for basketball and music. He played basketball at Terry Sanford High School in North Carolina and, with an academic scholarship, tried out as a walk-on at St. John's University. In 2012, Cole played for the Eastern Team during the NBA All-Star Weekend Celebrity Game. In 2013, he told Sports Illustrated, "Sports is where it started for me. It parallels my life. Rap is such a competitive thing. That's why I have to watch sports. I got to keep up. It's my life in just another form."
In 2020, Cole wrote an article for The Players' Tribune, writing about his goals after graduating college to eventually play professional basketball, saying, "if I can blow up in the next three years, that means I'll only be 27. That still might give me enough time to train and pursue a professional basketball career. I'll work hard enough to go play overseas and then try to work my way to the NBA." Cole's dream of becoming a professional basketball player came true in 2021 when he signed a contract with the Rwanda-based Patriots Basketball Club in the Basketball Africa League. Cole made his professional debut on May 16, 2021, against the Rivers Hoopers, finishing with three points, three rebounds, and two assists in 17 minutes. Cole's addition to the team brought a lot of publicity to the league, but there were limitations on the use of his likeness, and not all players were happy about his joining. Morocco AS Sale guard Terrell Stoglin told ESPN that Cole's addition was "disrespectful to the ones who sacrificed their whole lives for this." Cole completed his contractual obligation to the league and departed from Rwanda on May 26, 2021, due to a "family obligation."
On May 19, 2022, Cole signed with the Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. However, he took an indefinite leave from the team on June 8, 2022, to fulfill his concert tour commitments. In September 2022, J. Cole was named the cover athlete for NBA 2K23 on the Dreamer Edition and was featured in the game as well as in its "MyCareer" mode.
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Cole's performance stats with the Patriots were modest
J. Cole, born on January 28, 1985, in Frankfurt, Hesse, is a rapper and record producer with a deep passion for basketball. He played basketball at Terry Sanford High School in North Carolina and tried out as a walk-on at St. John's University. Cole has expressed his desire to pursue a professional basketball career and has been featured in basketball-related media, such as the NBA 2K23 game and the SLAM magazine cover.
In May 2021, Cole signed with the Rwanda-based Patriots Basketball Club in the Basketball Africa League. He made his professional debut on May 16, 2021, finishing with three points, three rebounds, and two assists in 17 minutes. On May 19, 2021, Cole tied his career-high in steals with one steal in a road win against GNGB. He also recorded one rebound in that game. Cole set his career-high in blocks in the same game, with one block and one rebound.
In September 2022, Cole was named the cover athlete for NBA 2K23, further solidifying his association with basketball culture. However, Cole's basketball journey took another turn when he signed with the Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League in May 2022. In four games with the Shooting Stars, Cole averaged 2.4 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 0.4 assists, with a 50% shooting percentage from the 3-point range. On June 7, 2022, Cole had a notable performance, scoring six points, grabbing two rebounds, and making one steal in a win against the Newfoundland Growlers.
While Cole's basketball skills have been questioned by some, he continues to pursue his passion alongside his successful music career. His dedication to the sport and willingness to compete at various levels showcase his determination and love for the game.
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Cole's love for basketball is reflected in his music and collaborations
J. Cole's love for basketball is well-documented. He played basketball in high school and tried out as a walk-on at St. John's University, where he played for the women's practice team during his sophomore year. Cole has also been open about his passion for the sport, telling Sports Illustrated in 2013 that "Sports is where it started for me. It parallels my life. Rap is such a competitive thing. That's why I have to watch sports. I got to keep up. It's my life in just another form."
Cole's love for basketball has indeed paralleled his music career. He has cited several hip-hop artists as influences on his rapping style, including Jay-Z, whom he toured with and learned from. Cole's work ethic and competitive spirit, which he honed through basketball, have been evident in his musical career as well. He has been described as a frequent commentator on basketball, and his collaboration with Puma on a signature shoe in 2020 further showcases how his love for the sport is reflected in his work.
In addition to his own basketball journey, Cole has also collaborated with other basketball players and entities. In 2022, he was named the cover athlete for NBA 2K23 on the Dreamer Edition and was featured in the game's "MyCareer" mode. Cole has also played in several NBA All-Star Weekend Celebrity Games and was featured on the cover of the American basketball magazine SLAM. His professional basketball debut in 2021 with the Rwanda Patriots Basketball Club in the Basketball Africa League coincided with the release of his album 'The Off-Season,' showcasing how he seamlessly blends his passions for music and basketball.
Cole's dedication to basketball has been a constant in his life, and it has undoubtedly influenced his music and collaborations. His competitive nature and work ethic, developed through his love for the sport, have contributed to his success as a musician. Cole's journey as a basketball player and his integration of the sport into his artistic endeavours have created a unique and compelling narrative that resonates with his fans and continues to shape his career.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, J. Cole signed his first professional contract with the Rwanda-based Patriots Basketball Club in the Basketball Africa League on May 10, 2021. He made his professional debut on May 16, 2021, finishing with three points, three rebounds, and two assists in 17 minutes.
J. Cole is a point guard.
J. Cole is 6 feet 2 inches (1m88 / 6-2) tall.
J. Cole played basketball at Terry Sanford High School in North Carolina. He then played for St. John's University and was one of 10 call-back players during his sophomore year. In 2021, he signed his first professional contract with the Rwanda-based Patriots Basketball Club in the Basketball Africa League. In 2022, he signed with the Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League.
J. Cole is a skilled basketball player, having played at the high school and college levels. He has also trained with professional teams like the Orlando Magic. However, opinions vary on his exact skill level as a professional player. Some believe he would be the worst player on most D3 teams, while others consider him a good division 2 player.
