Overview
- ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday that the 41-year-old rapper signed a pro deal with the Nanjing Monkey Kings of the Chinese Basketball Association.
- Cole has arrived in China and took part in practice and pregame warmups, with viral clips showing him greeting fans and signing memorabilia.
- He did not play in the first game after his arrival, and he has said he plans to suit up only for a few games as he balances music commitments.
- General manager Zhen Wang said Cole’s presence can raise the league’s profile and may help create training pathways through Cole’s minority stake in the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets.
- This is Cole’s third international pro stop after brief runs in the Basketball Africa League in 2021 and Canada’s CEBL in 2022, which set modest on-court expectations for this stint.