American rapper J Cole is expected to suit up and play for the Rwandan Patriots BBC in the Basketball Africa League. The deal is expected to become official on Thursday.
RELATED: Basketball Africa League Inaugural Player Combine Hits Brooklyn
Cole will play three to six games as one of two non-African players on the Patriots’ roster alongside former North Carolina State University basketball standout Brandon Costner.
The musician who was born Jermaine LaMarr Cole is a songwriter for his own label Dreamville Records. On May 4, the rapper announced that his next album, “The Off-Season,” will be released on May 14, which is just two days before he’s expected to play in his first game as a professional basketball player.
Despite being mostly known for his lyrical prowess, and becoming a multi-platinum selling artist with no features, Cole’s love of basketball has been chronicled extensively.
The musician, who played two years of varsity basketball in high school, mentioned that he tried out for the St. John’s University basketball team while he attended school there. But did not attend the second day of walk-on tryouts to pursue his musical aspirations.
The talented lyricist’s basketball talents were placed under the national spotlight in 2012 when he participated in the 2012 ESPN All-Star Celebrity Game. He also became one of the first celebrities to ever dunk in the festivity.
His celebrity will surely gain American coverage for Basketball African League and Vegas is already in on the deal.
Top online sportsbook MyBookie has set gambling odds on just how well the Grammy winner will perform.
MyBookie has set the Over/Under at 15.5 for J. Cole’s points scored in the Patriots’ first game against Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers. The sportsbook has Rwanda as -150 favorites to win that game. MyBookie also has set the O/U for J. Cole’s scoring average at 13.5 points.
J. Cole Pts Scored Against Nigeria Rivers Hoopers
Over 15.5 Points -120
Under 15.5 Points -120
How many pts will J. Cole average for Rwanda’s Patriot
Over 13.5 Points -120
Under 13.5 Points -120
Rwanda’s Patriots vs Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers
Rwanda’s Patriots -150
Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers +110
Breaking Ground, Strengthening Connection Of Sports & Music
Rapper and former professional basketball player Percy Miller aka Master P said in 2020 that J. Cole was considering trying to earn an NBA contract, leading to the Detroit Pistons offering him a chance to try out for their roster.
The rapper has reportedly held his own in pickup gamers against NBA veterans and stars such as CJ McCollum, Trae Young, Carmelo Anthony and JR Smith.
Cole becomes the first American rap star to sign a professional contract with an NBA property since retired rapper Master P signed contracts with the Charlotte Hornets and Toronto Raptors to play for them in 1998 and 1999.
WATCH: Master P knocked down treys and go to rack in an NBA game.
The NBA is using the Basketball Africa League as a means of developing basketball players from economically challenged environments while exposing African youth and the continent’s domestic talent and to both the resources and opportunities that they didn’t previously have.
