J.Cole already had plans for the off season when he dropped his beautiful album on Friday morning.
The talented rapper has been in Rwanda since the beginning of May in order to beat quarantine rules that may stop him from playing for the Rwandan Patriots BBC in the maiden edition of the Basketball African League (BAL). He’s getting a chance to prove that the game is beyond just rap for him. He’s also an icon with the buckets.
The BAL is a brainchild of a collaboration between the NBA and FIBA and is headed by Senegalese former NBA Vice President in Africa, Amadou Gallo Fall.
To be played in Kigali, the Rwandan capital, the league will feature twelve African teams and will be on for two weeks.
J.Cole, who has often revealed his admiration for basketball and sport in general has been on for the game as he’s seen training in clips ahead of the Rwanda Patriots opener against Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers.
The rapper’s first game is expected to come up on Sunday May 16th and he’s expected to play between three to six games for the Patriots.
J.Cole is one of two import signings by the Patriots BBC with the second being Brandon Costner, a former North Carolina State college basketball star.
Terms of the deal are not clear yet, but their signings are considered major coup for the branding of the competition which gives the NBA more reach on the continent.
Hip-Hop & Hoops: Living The Dream
J.Cole played basketball in Sanford High School and once nurtured dreams of playing in the NBA. He however quit the game but followed it strongly when he found a bigger appeal in rapping.
He has previously appeared in an NBA all-star game and has played with someday having a career in the NBA.
In the BAL, the hip-hop star finally has a chance to play competitive basketball amongst several other talented African stars. At 36, J.Cole is living new dreams.