Overview
- Shams Charania reported Wednesday that the 41-year-old rapper signed a contract with the Chinese Basketball Association’s Nanjing Monkey Kings, a report ESPN also published.
- After the announcement, video showed Cole practicing with the team and taking pregame shots in China, though he has not yet appeared in a game.
- Outlets note the team and league have not detailed how many games he will play or how many minutes he will see, a question complicated by his album and tour schedule.
- The Monkey Kings are struggling this season at 11-21 and sit near the bottom of the CBA, and the signing brings global attention to a roster that already features former NBA and NCAA standouts.
- This marks Cole’s third pro stop after short stints in the Basketball Africa League in 2021 and Canada’s CEBL in 2022, and early reaction on social media mixed curiosity with April Fools’ skepticism.