J Cole is indulging in a lot of nostalgia these days alongside his fans. He released new versions of 2014 Forest Hills Drivewith bonus tracks for its tenth anniversary, put his early mixtapes on streaming for the first time, and even launched an audio series titled Inevitable going over his career. But this means that the North Carolina rapper also reflected on some previous mistakes, which has apparently been a months-long process. Moreover, former NBA player Shane Battier recently revealed on his podcast that Cole actually apologized to him earlier in 2024 (specifically this summer) for dissing him on the Cole World: The Sideline Story track “Rise and Shine.”
“We in two different games, you playing patty cake / Brother you’re lame, you’re Shane Battier,” J. Cole rapped on the cut 13 years ago. For those unaware, Cole is a big supporter of his UNC Tar Heels, the NCAA basketball team whose rivals are Duke. Shane Battier played for Duke, and the Miami Heat champion explained on his Glue Guys podcast that he just saw this as a stray shot from a passionate sports fan.
But then, Shane Battier told the story about how, one day, he was eating dinner in Miami when a waiter told him that J. Cole was there and wanted to apologize to him. “I’m like, ‘Who’s bulls**tting me here?’” Battier joked. “Like, there’s someone yanking my chain. Like, ‘Ha ha, very funny. I get it, guys. I’m lame.’ And, sure enough, I go around the corner and J. Cole was way bigger than I thought in real life. Basketball, like, 6’5″, he’s a big dude. And he’s like, ‘Hey man, I was praying for this moment, that we would have this moment to where I could say, you know what, man, my bad, I was young.’”
Of course, many hip-hop fans out there probably can’t hear this story without thinking about J. Cole’s apology to Kendrick Lamar for dissing him earlier this year. But it just goes to show how big Cole’s heart can get, even when he doesn’t need to clarify a 13-year-old diss. Props to Shane Battier for respecting the mutual UNC/Duke hate and taking it like a champ!
J. Cole is best known for his musical endeavors. However, in 2020, the North Carolina rapper embarked on a professional basketball career. Cole had hopes of becoming the second-ever rapper to make it to the NBA, with the first being Master P. While Cole has not achieved his NBA dream, he has played professional basketball across the world in the past few years. J. Cole’s journey in basketball gained lots of media attention, as the rapper even graced the cover of SLAM Magazine. Having said that, news about Cole’s basketball career has been quiet recently. Let’s take a look at J. Cole’s career and find out if he is still hooping.
J. Cole’s Early Basketball Career
CHICAGO – JUL 28: Recording artist J. Cole performs on day one of Lollapalooza on July 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
J. Cole’s basketball career began when he was a child, first in a rec league then, at Terry Sanford High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina. After he was cut from the varsity team in his first two years of high school, Cole went on to become a starter in his senior year. He had faith that he could play at the Division 1 level of college basketball but ultimately, attended St. John’s University on an academic scholarship. There, J Cole tried out for the university’s basketball team as a walk-on and made it to the final ten out of 70-80 players. According to Cole, he was not cut by the team but instead, elected not to play because he believed he wasn’t ready for the commitment or lifestyle. Despite this, J. Cole frequently practiced with St. John’s women’s team and played intramural basketball.
Beginning of Professional Career
KIGALI, RWANDA – MAY 16: Jermaine Cole #15 of the Patriots Basketball Club is congratulated by teammate Brandon Costner #33 during the second half against the Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club at Kigali Arena on May 16, 2021 in Kigali, Rwanda. Today is the start of the inaugural regular season in the 12 team league, which is a partnership between the NBA and FIBA. (Photo by Nicole Sweet/BAL/Basketball Africa League via Getty Images)
On July 20, 2020, J. Cole shared an article with The Player’s Tribune that detailed his desire to play in the NBA after he graduated from college. In the article, he stated, “If I can blow up in the next three years, that means I’ll only be 27. That still might give me enough time to train and pursue a professional basketball career. I’ll work hard enough to go play overseas and then try to work my way to the NBA.” A few weeks after The Player’s Tribune article, Master P confirmed J. Cole was training for the NBA.
Though he didn’t make it to the big leagues, in 2021, J. Cole signed a contract with Rwanda-based Patriots Basketball Club in the Basketball Africa League. Finally, Cole found himself one step closer to the NBA. In his first game with the Patriots, Cole played seventeen minutes and finished with three points, three rebounds, and two assists against Rivers Hoopers.
J. Cole went on to play two more games for the Patriots Basketball Club. In his time with the team, he averaged 1.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, and one assist in fifteen minutes per game. Cole’s contract stated that he must play a minimum of three games. He fulfilled his obligations and shortly after his third game, Cole left the team. Despite the small sample size, J. Cole proved he could play basketball on a professional level. Along with this, his professional career continued in Canada.
On May 19, 2022, J. Cole signed with the Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League — the premier basketball league in Canada. Players in the league are expected to have played either collegiate or international professional basketball. J. Cole played four games with the Scarborough Shooting Stars where he averaged 2.4 points, 0.6 rebounds, 0.4 assists, and shot 50% from the three-point line. On June 2022, Cole confirmed he was taking an indefinite leave of absence to go on tour.
In regards to his time with the team, Cole said, “Man, it’s been phenomenal. I was telling the guys in there like, ‘I’m going for these shows, I’m not sure if I’ll be back.’ But just in case, I had to let them know how incredible this was. The players, the coaching staff, the organization, the league, it’s a crazy thing when you see it on paper, when you see what’s actually happening, and they made me feel so welcome.” J. Cole did not confirm if he would be back in the interview.
CHARLOTTE, NC – FEBRUARY 17: J. Cole performs at halftime during the 68th NBA All-Star Game at Spectrum Center on February 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
While J. Cole’s basketball career is still up in the air, the rapper has neither confirmed nor denied if it is officially over. Since his leave from the Scarborough Shooting Stars, J. Cole has not played another professional basketball game. While it seems that Cole is currently spending his time on music and his Dreamville label, it is still possible that the rapper may once again return to the court. Whether that be in Canada or somewhere else, it seems that J. Cole has not yet closed the door on shooting hoops in the future. Though it may be on hiatus, only time will tell if it is over.
