J. Cole Name-Drops LeBron James, Steph Curry, Damian Lillard More in 'The Off-Season'

Tim Daniels @@TimDanielsBRFeatured Columnist IVMay 14, 2021

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 17: Rapper J. Cole performs during halftime of the 68th NBA All-Star Game on February 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jeff Hahne/Getty Images)

Jeff Hahne/Getty Images

Rapper J. Cole shouted out several NBA players, including the Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James and Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry, on his new album, "The Off-Season," released Friday.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
.@JColeNC came different on The Off-Season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1dGoUDBnoG

Dijo Songco of ClutchPoints noted the other NBA stars mentioned on the 12-song album included the Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant, Portland Trail Blazers' Damian Lillard and Washington Wizards' Russell Westbrook.

ESPN @espn
"Kill 'em on a song walk up out the booth, do the Westbrook rock-a-baby." pic.twitter.com/27X7RJmDIb

While J. Cole's new album is drawing praise stateside, the 36-year-old rapper is currently in the East African country of Rwanda for quarantine requirements as he prepares to play in the Basketball Africa League.

Cameron Wolfe @CameronWolfe
With the Damian Lillard bite, the Ja Morant, Russ Westbrook and Steph Curry mentions this J Cole album gonna be the soundtrack of the NBA playoffs.<br><br>Can’t wait for the car listen with speakers blasting tomorrow.

Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated (h/t ESPN) reported Monday that J. Cole is expected to suit up for the league's Patriots BBC squad. They're scheduled to tip off the 2021 season Sunday against Nigeria's Rivers Hoopers.

J. Cole, full name Jermaine Lamarr Cole, was a standout basketball player at Terry Sanford High School in North Carolina and briefly walked on with the St. John's University program before switching his focus to the music career that ultimately made him a household name.

The rapper turned some heads during the 2019 NBA Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend when he nearly threw down a one-handed slam:

Dionysis Aravantinos @AravantinosDA
J. Cole is signing a deal in the Basketball Africa League and is expected to play 3 to 6 games, per @ShamsCharania. <br><br>Remember when he did that in the 2019 Dunk Contest? 😬 pic.twitter.com/V3gRuzVaBV

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"The Off-Season" is J. Cole's sixth studio album and first since "KOD" in 2018.