What J Cole’s Basketball Career Could Mean for the NBA
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J. Cole’s recent announcement of his retirement from music in order to pursue a career in basketball has many people talking. Here’s what his career could mean for the NBA.
J. Cole’s Basketball Career
J. Cole, born as Jermaine Lamarr Cole, is an American hip hop artist, record producer, and former basketball player. Cole played high school basketball at Terry Sanford High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Cole’s professional music career began in 2007, when he signed to rap label Roc Nation. In the same year, Cole released his debut mixtape, The Come Up.
J. Cole’s high school basketball career
J. Cole was a standout high school basketball player, earning All-State honors in North Carolina as a senior. He was recruited by several Division I programs, but opted to attend St. John’s University on a academic scholarship. After sitting out his freshman year, Cole played sparingly for the Red Storm before transferring to Providence College. He only played one season for the Friars before leaving school to pursue his music career.
Cole’s basketball career ended abruptly, but he still left his mark on the game. His story is an inspiration to aspiring rappers and hoopsters alike, and his impact can still be felt in the NBA today. Several current NBA players have cited Cole as an inspiration, including Jamal Murray, Donovan Mitchell, and Jayson Tatum. Murray even wore Cole’s high school jersey number (5) during his rookie season with the Denver Nuggets.
While it remains to be seen if any current NBA players will follow in Cole’s footsteps and pursue a rap career, one thing is for sure: J. Cole’s impact on basketball will be felt for years to come.
J. Cole’s collegiate basketball career
J. Cole, born in Germany to American military parents, was a standout high school basketball player in his hometown of Fayetteville, North Carolina. He chose to attend college at St. John’s University in New York City, where he played four seasons for the Red Storm basketball team. Cole was never able to lead St. John’s to an NCAA tournament berth, but he did finish his collegiate career with 1,744 points (an average of 15.9 points per game) and 648 rebounds (an average of 5.9 per game).
Since his days as a college basketball player ended, J. Cole has become one of the most successful rappers in the world. He has released five studio albums, all of which have reached the top spot on the Billboard 200 chart. His most recent album, “KOD,” debuted at No. 1 in April 2018 and went on to become one of the best-selling albums of the year.
With his music career firmly established, J. Cole has begun to pursue other interests – namely, professional basketball. In October 2018, it was announced that Cole had signed a deal with Puma to become a global ambassador for the brand. In January 2019, it was reported that Cole had purchased a minority stake in the NBA’s Washington Wizards franchise.
While it remains to be seen what role J. Cole will play with the Wizards organization, his involvement with professional basketball – as both a player and an owner – adds an intriguing wrinkle to his already-impressive career path.
J. Cole’s NBA Career
J. Cole’s NBA draft prospects
Although J. Cole has not played organized basketball since high school, he has expressed interest in pursuing an NBA career. At 6’2″, Cole would be undersized for an NBA shooting guard, but he is an excellent athlete with a strong work ethic.
Cole’s potential NBA career has generated a lot of interest and speculation, as he would be one of the few hip-hop artists to play in the league. If Cole is drafted, it could open the door for other rappers to pursue careers in basketball.
There is no doubt that Cole has the talent to play in the NBA, but it remains to be seen if he will declare for the draft and if any team will take a chance on him.
J. Cole’s NBA career potential
When it was announced that J. Cole would be joining the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers as a free agent, there was a lot of excitement around what his potential NBA career could mean for the league.
A two-time All-Star, Cole is a 6’10” forward who has shown the ability to score, rebound, and defend at a high level. His signing with the Blazers could be a sign that the team is serious about contending for an NBA Championship.
Cole’s signing also adds another layer of star power to an already loaded Trail Blazers roster that includes Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. With Cole in the mix, the Blazers now have one of the most talented rosters in the league and will be a team to watch in the upcoming season.
What J. Cole’s Basketball Career Could Mean for the NBA
J. Cole, who is best known for his music career, recently announced that he is pursuing a career in basketball. This could have a big impact on the NBA. For one, it could inspire other celebrities to pursue a career in basketball. It could also increase the popularity of the NBA, which would lead to more fans and more money.
J. Cole as an NBA player
This past weekend, news broke that J. Cole, one of the biggest names in hip-hop, had signed a deal with the Puma basketball shoe company. Cole is not your typical NBA player—he’s a rapper who has never played college basketball or even high school ball. So what does his deal mean for the NBA?
It’s not uncommon for celebrities to have endorsement deals with NBA players. Jay Z, for example, has an ongoing partnership with Nikebasketball, and Spike Lee is a well-known Knicks fan who has also done work with the team’s apparel sponsor, Starter. But Cole is different in that he’s an active rapper who could have a real impact on the game of basketball.
Cole’s music often references basketball culture and he is considered to be a “baller” in his own right. In 2012, he released a song called “Cole World: The Sideline Story,” which featured a sample of an Allen Iverson interview in which he talks about how much he loves the game of basketball. And in 2015, Cole released “4 Your Eyez Only,” which included a track called “Neighbors,” which tells the story of Cole and his friends playing pickup basketball games against their rivals from the next block over.
With his new deal with Puma, Cole will be joining forces with some of the biggest names in the NBA, including Rookie of the Year Ben Simmons and All-Star center Deandre Ayton. He will also be working with former NBA player Ronnie Fieg on a special edition line of shoes and apparel. This deal represents a major coup for Puma, which has been trying to make inroads into the world of basketball for years.
It remains to be seen what exactly Cole will do as part of his new role with Puma Basketball. But if his past songs are any indication, he could have a real impact on how people see the game of basketball—and how they think about sneakers—for years to come.
J. Cole as an NBA coach
J. Cole’s recent decision to retire from rap has many people wondering what he’ll do next. Some have speculated that he may pursue a career in coaching, and there’s no doubt that he would be a great fit for the NBA.
Cole is a smart, articulate and well-spoken individual who has a deep understanding of the game of basketball. His passion for the sport is evident, and he would no doubt be an excellent coach at the NBA level.
There are several reasons why Cole would make a great NBA coach. Firstly, he has the ability to connect with players and get them to buy into his system. Secondly, he has a strong knowledge of the game and knows how to efficiently use timeouts and make in-game adjustments. Finally, Cole is excellent at communicating his vision for the team and motivating players to reach their full potential.
If Cole were to become an NBA coach, it would be a huge boost for the league. His presence would attract more fans, and his coaching ability would no doubt improve the play of whichever team he coached. J. Cole as an NBA coach would be a win-win for everyone involved.
J. Cole as an NBA owner
In recent years, we have seen some big name celebrities become involved in basketball. Drake is probably the most famous example, as he is now a part-owner of the Toronto Raptors. It looks like J. Cole could be the next big name to join the ranks of NBA ownership.
Although it is not yet official, Cole has been rumored to be in talks with several NBA teams about becoming an owner. Cole is a huge basketball fan, and has even coached AAU teams in the past. His involvement in the game goes beyond just being a fan though, as he has also donated over $1 million to various charities that support youth basketball programs.
If Cole does become an owner, it would be a huge boost for the NBA. Cole is one of the biggest names in music right now, and his involvement would bring a lot of attention to the league. It would also be a big step forward for diversity in NBA ownership, as Cole would be one of only a handful of African American owners in the league.
Whether or not Cole becomes an NBA owner remains to be seen, but it is definitely something to keep an eye on in the coming months.