Rapper J Cole is chasing his hoop dreams in Africa.

As confirmed by NBA insiders Shams Charania and Marc J Spears, J Cole – whose real name is Jermaine Cole – has signed with the Rwanda Patriots BBC in the Basketball Africa League (BAL).

Organized by the NBA, the BAL will kick off its inaugural season on May 16, more than a year since it got postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Twelve teams, including those from Senegal, Nigeria, Tunisia, Angola, and Egypt, will be competing in the BAL.

According to Charania, Cole will serve as an import for the Patriots alongside Brandon Costner.

Cole, 36, played varsity basketball at Sanford High School in North Carolina and tried out as a walk-on at St. John’s University in New York before he focused on his music career.

A hoop head, Cole has incorporated basketball references in his lyrics, including his collaboration track A Lot with 21 Savage, which earned them a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song.

In fact, the cover art of his recently released album The Off-Season features Cole with a burning basketball hoop on the background.

Cole previously participated in pick-up runs with NBA players and saw action in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. – Rappler.com