How Rapper J Cole helped get Miami's new star Caleb Martin in Finals form

The NBA Finals are well and truly underway, with the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets battling it out for the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

Rapper J Cole may have something to do with The Heat's progression to the finals, helping recruit Miami's Caleb Martin in the 2021 off-season.

Martin produced a scintillating display in game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals, producing 26 points, ten rebounds, and three assists in Miami's 103-84 victory.

His impressive performance in game seven was agonizingly close to earning him the Eastern Conference MVP award, losing out by one vote to Jimmy Butler.

Martin is one of nine undrafted players on Miami's roster. In 2021, Cole spoke to Miami assistant coach Caron Butler, expressing they needed to sign free agent Martin after two underwhelming seasons in Charlotte.

Butler brought Martin to the coaching staff, and the signing has paid off. According to marca.com, Butler said: "There are certain people that when they call you about particular people, the message and the favor is a little louder than others."

Martin impressed the Miami Heat, earning a two-way contract before signing a three-year $20 million deal before this season, according to hiphopdx.com.

Caleb Martin and J Cole met in 2014 when the award-winning rapper and emerging NBA player started playing pickup games at the same gym in North Carolina.

The pair formed a close friendship, with Cole regularly going to Martin's games in Charlotte and some in Miami.

After speaking on the Dan Le Batard show, Martin said: "The chances of me being here without him (J. Cole) making the phone call to Caron would be pretty slim to none."

The rapper has always had close ties to basketball, with Cole famously playing professional overseas basketball.

In 2021, after working out with several NBA teams, Cole signed a contract with Rwanda-based Patriots Basketball Club in the Basketball Africa League, pursuing his dream of playing pro basketball.

In three games for the Patriots Basketball Club, Cole scored five points, had three assists, and grabbed five rebounds in 45 minutes of action.

After a short stint in the BAL, Cole signed for the Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League in 2022.

Picture – Instagram @scarboroughshootingstars

In four games for Scarborough, Cole averaged 2.4 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 0.4 assists before leaving the team to fulfill his concert commitments.

Picture – Instagram @scarboroughshootingstars

According to Sports Illustrated, Cole said: "Sports is where it started for me. It parallels my life. Rap is such a competitive thing. That's why I have to watch sports. I got to keep up. It's my life in just another form."