J. Cole has been a heavy topic of conversation since releasing his Billboard 200 No 1. album The Off-Season and making his Basketball Africa League (BAL) debut. But not everybody was thrilled to see him on the court. On Monday (May 24), BAL star Terrell Stoglin told ESPN he believes Cole playing in the league is “disrespectful,” suggesting he robbed a spot from someone who was more deserving.
“I think there’s a negative and a positive [to J. Cole’s presence],” Stoglin said. “The negative part of it is: I think he took someone’s job that deserves it. I live in a basketball world. I don’t live in a fan world. I know a lot of guys that had their careers stopped by COVID and they’re still home working out and training for an opportunity like this.”
But Rick Ross begs to differ. Never one to hold his tongue, the Maybach Music Group boss shared an Instagram video on Tuesday (May 25) and scolded Stoglin for the comment.
“In no way is this meant to be disrespectful but first and foremost, should no Black man’s dreams be censored nor limited,” he said. “And comin’ from a brother, I think you would understand what building these types of relationships would do for the business, for the eyes on the industry, you know what I’m sayin’?”
Rick Ross continued by explaining simply having J. Cole’s presence on the court is a win for the Basketball Africa League.
“If your father owned the team, and he had to decide between you and Cole, I believe he would find it honorable if you stepped down and let J. Cole bring what he bringin’ to the industry,” Ross added. “More importantly, brother, you should be there to support the brother. If he made one point on the first game, by the time he get to the 10th, you should make sure he makin’ six a game, you understand? If Cristiano Ronaldo bought the team, you would be there for the ribbon-cutting, brother.”
J. Cole Earns High Praise Following Basketball African League Debut
J. Cole made his BAL debut with the Rwandan Patriots on May 16. In 17 minutes of action, the 36-year-old MC scored three points, grabbed three rebounds, two assists and three turnovers.
The big game preceded the Dreamville Records founder’s debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with The Off-Season, his sixth chart-topper.
Ross is looking at it from a business perspective. But it aint like none of that extra money is going back to the players who got contracts. It goes in the owners pockets. And once J Cole is gone, so will the BAL’s five minutes of fame in the USA. Of course a celebrity is gonna defend another celebrity. Stoglin is speaking for the little man. J Cole jumping into basketball was no different than Kobe Bryant trying to do a rap album. It didnt work and somebody who calls shots shelved it. Thats how J Coles basketball career will end.
First of all, J Cole had a basketball scholarship before he became a rapper. He tried to follow another dream (he is 36 btw) and succeded to finally play a pro basketball game. Instead of hating on him, admire that he was confident enough to start playing basketball at his age. Plus, because if Cole, the BAL has now more investors and gaining more viewership that they would have in 5 years if J Cole hadn’t been there
J Cole tried out for the St John’s basketball team. He made it to the second round of try-outs, but then he got scared and quit before the tryouts ended.
I’m getting this from Cole’s appearance on Durant’s podcast.
Rick Ross is a fucking idiot hahahaha
Rick Ross chatting an incredible amount of pure shit right there
what the fuck is a cristiano ronaldo? a restaurant?