Overview
- J. Cole came off the bench Saturday against the Guangzhou Loong Lions and logged eight minutes with one rebound and one assist in a 95–81 defeat.
- Clips of the outing drew heavy online attention as many users mocked the scoreless debut while others urged patience and support.
- Cole told local reporters the team reached out last summer and he called the chance to suit up for Nanjing a blessing.
- ESPN’s Shams Charania reported he agreed to only a few games, and GM Zhen Wang said the signing seeks access to training or opportunities in the U.S. through Cole’s minority stake in the Charlotte Hornets.
- This is Cole’s third short pro stop overseas after the Basketball Africa League in 2021 and Canada’s CEBL in 2022, with a summer tour starting July 11 likely keeping this run brief.