Jermaine "J. Cole" Cole has reportedly traveled overseas to play for the Rwanda Patriots BBC in the NBA sponsored Basketball Africa League. The GRAMMY-award winner reportedly arrived in Rwanda over the weekend as he prepares to quarantine with the team. Cole is expected to sign with the team in an official capacity on Thursday. Three days later, he is expected to make his debut with the team. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, Cole's run with the team is expected to last anywhere between three and six games.
Cole's involvement with the BAL is not surprising to those who have followed his career. Throughout his decade-long run, the North Carolina native has repeatedly made hoops references in his music. He also played high school basketball at Sanford High School in North Carolina before trying out for the St. John's University men's basketball team in the mid-2000s. More recently, he's been spotted playing pick-up basketball with NBA stars like C.J. McCollum, Carmelo Anthony and Trae Young. Not to mention, he's spent time training with accomplished basketball trainer Chris Brickley. Brickley is best known for working with the likes of Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid.
If Cole is in fact signing with the Rwanda Patriots BBC, he will have a busy week. Just last week, he released a new single called "Interlude" from his upcoming project, The Off-Season. Today, the North Carolina native is planning to release a short documentary. Ending the week, he is scheduled to formally release his penultimate album, The Off-Season. Also, he's scheduled to release his second shoe with Puma in the coming weeks. Simply put, the man is working through a pretty busy schedule.
Photo Credit: Getty Images