J Cole’s workout with the Orlando Magic lifts eyebrows

Punchin’.the.clock.

These were the characters the Orlando Magic tweeted to the world after J Cole ran with the team for a little workout in September.

If we have learned anything about the rap icon, we know that he can sell out arenas and has game on the court. He is considered one of the best entertainers in the music industry and has legit skills with a basketball in his hands.

So legit he landed a professional basketball contract with the Rwanda Patriots of the Basketball African League and was a threat to take a roster spot from people who prepared their entire lives to play basketball professionally.

Jermaine Cole played in only three preliminary games and had 5 points, 3 assists and 5 rebounds in 45 minutes.

It is kind of cool to see a guy get rewarded with opportunities with professional athletes after all the work he has put in as a rap artist, it shows that you can still accomplish multiple things when you put your mind to it.

J. Cole dropped by the Amway Center and got some run with the Orlando Magic as the season draws closer.

Cole stuck to music in the end — he is playing the Amway Center on Saturday and there will surely be some Magic players in the audience.

Cole still has the basketball jones. He joined the Magic for a recent pick-up run, eliciting plenty of reactions on social media.

That, in itself, lifted some eyebrows in Central Florida.

So much so that fans are starting to speculate if the Magic would actually give him a serious look for a roster spot.

Rest assured, they are not — the team announced the signing of its 20th player for training camp earlier this week. Cole is getting set to go on tour and promote a new album. He is just a fan who is a really good basketball player on top of it.

This is not some public relations stunt, but it does get the Magic’s name in the public a bit more. People are at least talking about the team a bit.

This is just what the Magic needed before the preseason, a high-profile entertainer like Cole to come and shed light on a team and give them life before a season begins.

Cole seemed to be extremely thankful for the invite and the Magic returned that enthusiasm by gifting him a jersey at the end of the workout.

The players seemed energized and enthusiastic about J. Cole coming and being a part of their practice. More importantly, the fans are looking like they are engaged with a team predicted to finish at the bottom of the barrel in this year’s loaded Eastern Conference.

Everyone has got to find somewhere.