Fat Joe criticized J. Cole’s brief run with Nanjing Monkey Kings, saying he was “ran out of China,” after visa issues limited him to one game.
J. Cole’s short spell with the Nanjing Monkey Kings has sparked more debate than basketball, with Fat Joe taking aim after the rapper’s CBA run was limited to a single appearance.
On April 1, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Cole had signed with the Nanjing Monkey Kings in the Chinese Basketball Association. The move followed an earlier commitment that he would play a few games for the team last year, and the report said he was now carrying through on that decision.
Cole. who released The Fall Off in February. was expected to appear in multiple games during his time in China. but he explained that visa delays prevented the plan from unfolding as intended.. He wrote that the work visa process took longer than expected, leaving him with only one game before heading back.
That lone appearance came on April 11, when the Monkey Kings faced the Guangzhou Loong Lions. Nanjing suffered a 95-81 defeat, and Cole’s statistical output during his time on the floor became part of the backlash around the stint.
His line from the game drew attention: 0 points with 0-for-5 shooting from the field (including 0-for-5 from three), along with one rebound and one assist in roughly eight minutes. The lack of production fueled criticism not just from fans, but from high-profile voices outside the league.
Cole indicated in his own blog, Inevitable, that he was initially scheduled for at least three games with the Nanjing Monkey Kings. The visa timeline, however, meant he could only play once—an explanation that framed his departure as a logistical constraint rather than a sporting decision.
Fat Joe, speaking on his Joe and Jada podcast episode that featured guest Sheryl Swoopes, reacted sharply to Cole’s performance. He argued that Cole was not a “real hooper,” adding that Cole “quit after one game” and pointing to what he described as an unproductive outing.
From Fat Joe’s perspective, the larger issue extended beyond a single box score. He said there is significant talent in China, and then claimed—using his own phrasing—that the rapper was “ran out” of the league.
Even with the criticism, Fat Joe also referenced the positive side of his own experience in China, saying he was excited to find fans of his music there. He added that he was able to share the moment with his family during their first trip to the country.
As for J. Cole, his music timeline continues to move forward. The report noted he released The Fall Off in February and is preparing to begin a summer tour in support of the album in July, shifting attention away from his brief basketball detour.
For the Nanjing Monkey Kings, the episode highlights how international signings can become complicated by timing and travel requirements.. Cole’s one-game stretch. following delayed visa processing. also underscores the gap between announcement and actual opportunity for players arriving from abroad mid-season or on short windows.
For basketball followers watching the CBA. the incident has revived a familiar debate: how to judge a player’s impact when limited minutes. a team loss. and off-court constraints shape the sample size.. While Cole’s explanation centers on access and paperwork. Fat Joe’s critique focuses on results in the game itself. setting up a clash between circumstance and evaluation.
J. Cole Fat Joe Nanjing Monkey Kings CBA Guangzhou Loong Lions The Fall Off Shams Charania