As the Knicks hit their practice courts on Saturday afternoon, there was a special guest in attendance.
Performing artist J. Cole, who is nominated for four Grammy Awards this year, was on site to watch practice and to speak with the team.
Born on a military base in Germany, Cole grew up in North Carolina, but moved to New York City after high school, attending St. John's.
"I don't know what everybody else does," David Fizdale said about having the musician come to practice. "He's one of my favorite rappers.
"He's here to support all of us."
J. Cole also performed at the 2019 NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte.
"It was awesome. The huge thing is that he came to us and talked to us and just was trying to bring something that he can bring in his position," Frank Ntilikina said after practice.
"He's a big-time artist and he was talking about some mind space and everything, but it's cool, it's cool," Ntilikina added.
"Usually people are not always like this. But it was really cool that we can talk and have a conversation with him about how we can do better in this world, either him about music or us about basketball. It was just amazing."