ESPN RISE caught up with J. Cole (born Jermaine Cole) and talked about everything from his high school hooping days, Dwyane Wade comparisons, to why he can’t, in good conscious, give us a prediction on who will win the college hoops title.
ESPN RISE: Let’s talk about your new mixtape “Friday Night Lights.” Word is that it was inspired by your experiences in high school basketball?
J. Cole: Yeah basically the whole J. Cole persona, if you will, is this high school athlete and I use basketball to tell my story. My first mixtape was called “The Warm-up” and that was the story of a kid who got cut from the team and promised himself that he’d make the team the next year. Now with “Friday Night Lights,” I wanted to embody that feeling of, OK he’s on the team now, but there’s pressure that comes with those lights and the position that he’s in. I know it’s typically a football reference, but I wanted to use it to fit my basketball story.
J. Cole: Yeah basically the whole J. Cole persona, if you will, is this high school athlete and I use basketball to tell my story. My first mixtape was called “The Warm-up” and that was the story of a kid who got cut from the team and promised himself that he’d make the team the next year. Now with “Friday Night Lights,” I wanted to embody that feeling of, OK he’s on the team now, but there’s pressure that comes with those lights and the position that he’s in. I know it’s typically a football reference, but I wanted to use it to fit my basketball story.
ESPN RISE: Works for both. And that’s symbolic of where you’re at in your career right now, right?
J. Cole: Absolutely.
J. Cole: Absolutely.
ESPN RISE: So you played ball?
J. Cole: Oh yeah… I still play now. I feel like I’ve still got it.
J. Cole: Oh yeah… I still play now. I feel like I’ve still got it.
ESPN RISE: Old athletes never die.
J. Cole: You know it!
J. Cole: You know it!
ESPN RISE: Where’d you play high school ball?
J. Cole: I played at Terry Sanford High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
J. Cole: I played at Terry Sanford High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
ESPN RISE: So did you play all four years?
J. Cole: Well, this is what happened…
J. Cole: Well, this is what happened…
ESPN RISE: Uh oh!
J. Cole: (Laughs) No, no it’s like this though, I went to a middle school that didn’t have a team and in retrospect that set me back when it came to organized basketball because my confidence wasn’t there, I didn’t understand the system… So when I got to school in the ninth grade, I was expecting to make the team because everywhere else that I went I was one of the nicest players. But I ended up getting cut and I couldn’t believe it! Everyone thinks they deserve to be on the team and I was one of them, whether it was true or not.
J. Cole: (Laughs) No, no it’s like this though, I went to a middle school that didn’t have a team and in retrospect that set me back when it came to organized basketball because my confidence wasn’t there, I didn’t understand the system… So when I got to school in the ninth grade, I was expecting to make the team because everywhere else that I went I was one of the nicest players. But I ended up getting cut and I couldn’t believe it! Everyone thinks they deserve to be on the team and I was one of them, whether it was true or not.
ESPN RISE: Ooh getting cut is definitely not a good look. How did you cope?
J. Cole: Not a good look at all! Well, what I did was I became the team manager. My cousin told me that doing that was the best way to get in good with the coach and learn the plays. So I swallowed my pride and did that. I felt like I was supposed to make the team off of general principle the next year. And would you believe…
J. Cole: Not a good look at all! Well, what I did was I became the team manager. My cousin told me that doing that was the best way to get in good with the coach and learn the plays. So I swallowed my pride and did that. I felt like I was supposed to make the team off of general principle the next year. And would you believe…
ESPN RISE: C’mon don’t say what I think you’re going to say…
J. Cole: Yeah! I got cut AGAIN!
J. Cole: Yeah! I got cut AGAIN!
ESPN RISE: Wow.
J. Cole: Ya know…Even looking back as I tell you this I can’t believe that my spirits weren’t crushed to the point of not playing ever again because it hurt me so bad. I was robbed that year; I don’t care what anyone says.
J. Cole: Ya know…Even looking back as I tell you this I can’t believe that my spirits weren’t crushed to the point of not playing ever again because it hurt me so bad. I was robbed that year; I don’t care what anyone says.
ESPN RISE: But the fact that you stuck with it is telling.
J. Cole: Yeah, I worked my butt off and made the varsity. My mom always says that’s when she really knew the character of her son.
J. Cole: Yeah, I worked my butt off and made the varsity. My mom always says that’s when she really knew the character of her son.
ESPN RISE: What position did you play?
J. Cole: Well, you know how high school basketball goes. I was about 6-foot-3 so I played everything from the two to the five.
J. Cole: Well, you know how high school basketball goes. I was about 6-foot-3 so I played everything from the two to the five.
ESPN RISE: Hit us with those stats…
J. Cole: Well, I was an off-the-bench contributor my junior year, but I started my senior year and I averaged about seven or eight points, and that’s being a little generous to myself (Laughs).
J. Cole: Well, I was an off-the-bench contributor my junior year, but I started my senior year and I averaged about seven or eight points, and that’s being a little generous to myself (Laughs).
ESPN RISE: Hey sometimes you’ve got to be generous!
J. Cole: (Laughs) Right, but you know my confidence wasn’t there back then.
J. Cole: (Laughs) Right, but you know my confidence wasn’t there back then.
ESPN RISE: The mental aspect is huge in basketball.
J. Cole: Oh without question! It’s so big. It’s funny because the day after our season was over in open gym was where I really learned my true talents. The pressure was off and I was just having fun and I was dominating. My coach was like “Where was all this during the season?” From that day through my junior year in college were probably the best basketball years of my life.
J. Cole: Oh without question! It’s so big. It’s funny because the day after our season was over in open gym was where I really learned my true talents. The pressure was off and I was just having fun and I was dominating. My coach was like “Where was all this during the season?” From that day through my junior year in college were probably the best basketball years of my life.
ESPN RISE: You graduated from St. John’s…did you win any intramurals titles there?
J. Cole: Aww man, we never won, but we got to the championship game three years and lost to this team that called themselves The Dynasty. That was for a reason…they were good!
J. Cole: Aww man, we never won, but we got to the championship game three years and lost to this team that called themselves The Dynasty. That was for a reason…they were good!
ESPN RISE: We hear that you play pickup in the cities that you tour in.
J. Cole: Yeah, whenever I can I go and play. Now that I’m off the road I play a lot more. In the past two weeks I’ve probably played about six or seven times, which is pretty unheard of for me.
J. Cole: Yeah, whenever I can I go and play. Now that I’m off the road I play a lot more. In the past two weeks I’ve probably played about six or seven times, which is pretty unheard of for me.
ESPN RISE: So with all that practice you’ve got to be looking pretty nice on the court?
J. Cole: Oh man! I’m feeling better than I’ve felt in a long time! I call myself a poor man’s Dwyane Wade because that’s how I play. I’m an in-the-flow type of player.
J. Cole: Oh man! I’m feeling better than I’ve felt in a long time! I call myself a poor man’s Dwyane Wade because that’s how I play. I’m an in-the-flow type of player.
ESPN RISE: Wow, D Wade, huh? You got hops like him too?
J. Cole: (Laughs) Man, I’ve got the poor man hops. I get up every now and then though. I caught one last night as a matter of fact.
J. Cole: (Laughs) Man, I’ve got the poor man hops. I get up every now and then though. I caught one last night as a matter of fact.
ESPN RISE: Is it weird to play with fans at the open runs?
J. Cole: Yeah I always have people who are like “Wow that’s J Cole!” And I think they probably don’t expect too much out of me on the court. So I really love to see their faces when I really go off and have a good game. I hate having an off night when fans are playing with me.
J. Cole: Yeah I always have people who are like “Wow that’s J Cole!” And I think they probably don’t expect too much out of me on the court. So I really love to see their faces when I really go off and have a good game. I hate having an off night when fans are playing with me.
ESPN RISE: Do you follow hoops on all levels?
J. Cole: I can’t keep up with high school ball as much as I used to, but I keep people around me that keep me updated on that stuff. I do somewhat follow North Carolina and some NBA.
J. Cole: I can’t keep up with high school ball as much as I used to, but I keep people around me that keep me updated on that stuff. I do somewhat follow North Carolina and some NBA.
ESPN RISE: Your Tar Heels have four losses, so I’ve got to ask… are you scared that it’s going to be a repeat of last year?
J. Cole: Uh, yeah man, to be honest, I am. I feel like we’ll get it together and make the tournament, but we’re rebuilding. I feel like it’s gonna be a long year. But I’m holding out hope!
J. Cole: Uh, yeah man, to be honest, I am. I feel like we’ll get it together and make the tournament, but we’re rebuilding. I feel like it’s gonna be a long year. But I’m holding out hope!
ESPN RISE: Do you get into the whole UNC-Duke rivalry?
J. Cole: Most definitely. I love to perform at Duke and I love the fans there so I won’t say that I hate Duke, but in my heart it’s pretty deep. Of course you know all about the rivalry and how serious it is in our region. I’ve got two friends who are Duke fans and I just look at them like how did this happen to you? Shout out to Duke though, it’s a great university, but the rivalry is serious!
J. Cole: Most definitely. I love to perform at Duke and I love the fans there so I won’t say that I hate Duke, but in my heart it’s pretty deep. Of course you know all about the rivalry and how serious it is in our region. I’ve got two friends who are Duke fans and I just look at them like how did this happen to you? Shout out to Duke though, it’s a great university, but the rivalry is serious!
ESPN RISE: Would you rather be a rap star or a basketball star?
J. Cole: Whew that’s tough. Well, I love what I do, but I already made up in my mind that in my next life I’m gonna be taking my talents to the NBA! I recently was courtside for a Raptors game and that’s when I realized that I couldn’t play in the NBA.
J. Cole: Whew that’s tough. Well, I love what I do, but I already made up in my mind that in my next life I’m gonna be taking my talents to the NBA! I recently was courtside for a Raptors game and that’s when I realized that I couldn’t play in the NBA.
ESPN RISE: So it wasn’t when you were only averaging eight points a game?
J. Cole: (Laughs) Hey, hey man I’ve grown as a player.
J. Cole: (Laughs) Hey, hey man I’ve grown as a player.
ESPN RISE: Hey I couldn’t resist, J!
J. Cole: (Laughs) Right! No, but those guys just go so fast and hard. It’s like when your high school coach would tell you there’s someone out in the world working harder than you, these were the guys! So all those dreams that I could’ve played in the league, were just that.
J. Cole: (Laughs) Right! No, but those guys just go so fast and hard. It’s like when your high school coach would tell you there’s someone out in the world working harder than you, these were the guys! So all those dreams that I could’ve played in the league, were just that.
ESPN RISE: So my dreams of knocking down a few jumpers with the Lakers while the defense is focused on Kobe are unrealistic?
J Cole: (Laughs) Hey, look man even as I’m saying I couldn’t do it, my heart is telling me I could do it! But after that game… Whew! I don’t know man. We’ve got to hold on to our dreams though man.
J Cole: (Laughs) Hey, look man even as I’m saying I couldn’t do it, my heart is telling me I could do it! But after that game… Whew! I don’t know man. We’ve got to hold on to our dreams though man.
ESPN RISE: So are you the best baller on Roc Nation’s label?
J. Cole: Oh most definitely. It’s not even close.
J. Cole: Oh most definitely. It’s not even close.
ESPN RISE: You sure? I heard Willow Smith was a beast though.
J. Cole: (Laughs) Hey, hey she might be man! I don’t underestimate anyone coming from the Will Smith kingdom!
J. Cole: (Laughs) Hey, hey she might be man! I don’t underestimate anyone coming from the Will Smith kingdom!
ESPN RISE: Then there’s your boss Jay Z, who once said that he almost beat Michael Jordan in around-the-world.
J. Cole: (Laughs) Yeah right…Yeah right! I don’t know what Jay’s skills are looking like on the court, but let’s just say I’m doubtful.
J. Cole: (Laughs) Yeah right…Yeah right! I don’t know what Jay’s skills are looking like on the court, but let’s just say I’m doubtful.
ESPN RISE: Let’s switch it up; who’s going to be the last team standing once March Madness is over?
J. Cole: Well, the way things are looking now… Ya know… I, I can’t even say it! Blame the rivalry. I can’t say it man, next question.
J. Cole: Well, the way things are looking now… Ya know… I, I can’t even say it! Blame the rivalry. I can’t say it man, next question.
ESPN RISE: OK, so that’s one vote for Duke…
J. Cole: (Laughs) Next question…
J. Cole: (Laughs) Next question…
ESPN RISE: What about the NBA? Who’s reigning supreme?
J. Cole: I think Kobe’s gonna go ahead and get another ring. His will and determination are gonna get it for him. And then after that I know he’ll want one more than Jordan so it will be fun to see if he can make it happen.
J. Cole: I think Kobe’s gonna go ahead and get another ring. His will and determination are gonna get it for him. And then after that I know he’ll want one more than Jordan so it will be fun to see if he can make it happen.
ESPN RISE: Indeed it will. J thanks for your time.
J. Cole: Anytime. It was fun
J. Cole: Anytime. It was fun
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