The Off-Season Squad

Lore & Background

The Off-Season Squad grew from J. Cole’s lifelong love of basketball, a flame that flickered long before he ever touched a mic. Cole, who suited up for Terry Sanford High School and later tried out for a semi-pro team, built this collective to bridge his two passions. The squad features real NBA talent like Dennis Smith Jr. and trainers who put Cole through punishing workouts—all caught on camera for the album’s short film. But this isn’t just about lifting weights or running drills; it’s a living metaphor for the tireless work ethic that fuels Cole’s music and his every move.

In Their Own Story

The gym reeks of sweat and rubber. J. Cole pounds the ball against Dennis Smith Jr., both men locked in a silent chess match of crossovers and step-backs. A trainer’s voice cuts through the air, barking counts as they sprint suicides, lungs burning, legs heavy. Later, slumped on a bench in the locker room, Cole scratches lyrics onto a crumpled napkin—the rhythm of the court still thrumming in his veins. The squad watches, knowing the real game is played between the lines of a basketball court and a notebook, where every rep and every rhyme is a step toward something bigger.

Reader's Guide

The Off-Season Squad is a faction forged around J. Cole’s preparation for his sixth studio album, *The Off-Season*. Their mission: to lay bare the physical and mental grit required to dominate at the highest level, whether on the court or in the booth. Members include NBA players like Dennis Smith Jr., hard-nosed trainers, and close friends from Cole’s Dreamville circle. In the broader narrative, the squad underscores Cole’s versatility and his belief that greatness demands constant, unrelenting effort. They surface in the album’s promo materials, music videos, and the short film *The Off-Season*, which documents their sweat-soaked sessions. The squad’s only enemy is internal—the creeping temptation to coast, the pressure to prove oneself all over again after tasting success. They are a tribe of grinders, each pushing the other toward their personal peak.

Did You Know?

• J. Cole played basketball at Terry Sanford High School and later walked on at St. John's University before focusing on music.
• The Off-Season Squad includes NBA player Dennis Smith Jr., who appears in the album's short film training with Cole.
• The album's title and concept were inspired by Cole's view of his career as an athlete's off-season—a time for growth and preparation.
• The squad's training footage was filmed at various gyms, blending real athleticism with Cole's lyrical storytelling.