J. Cole Ends China Basketball Stint After One Game

Rapper J. Cole's brief foray into professional basketball in China ended after just one game, cut short by work visa delays that prevented him from fulfilling his planned three-game commitment with the Nanjing Monkey Kings of the Chinese Basketball Association.

Cole, 41, made his debut on Saturday at Wutaishan Sports Center in Nanjing, entering as a substitute in the second quarter during the Monkey Kings' 95-81 loss to the Guangzhou Loong Lions. In eight minutes of play, he went scoreless on five field-goal attempts, all from beyond the three-point line, while recording one rebound and one assist. The crowd gave him a warm ovation upon entering the game, reflecting the anticipation surrounding his arrival.

The Grammy-winning artist signed a short-term contract with the team on April 1 and arrived in China on April 2, but he missed the Monkey Kings' first three games due to visa processing complications. On Monday, Cole announced his departure via social media, explaining that the delays limited his participation to a single outing before he had to return home.

"Initially I was scheduled to play in at least 3 games for the Nanjing Monkey Kings of the CBA," Cole wrote. "The work...