PHOTOS: J. Cole before he was famous

Terry Sanford's Jermaine Cole (15) goes up for a rebound with a teammate during a game Seventy-First High School on Feb. 24, 2003, in Fayetteville, N.C.

Terry Sanford's Jermaine Cole goes up for a rebound along side a Pine Forest player during the first half on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003, in Fayetteville, N.C.

Terry Sanford's Jermaine Cole drives by Pine Forest's Robert Dowdy during the first half on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003, in Fayetteville, N.C.

J. Cole and his mentor, Brion Unger.

Terry Sanford High student Jermaine Cole (cq), 15, answers the teeen Q and A question.

This is Jermaine Cole, age 14, on an open mic after a Bomm Sheltuh show at Duh Skate Zone in 1999.

Contributed childhood photo of J. Cole from his mother