Jay-Z Licensed NBA Agent [PHOTOS]: HOV Expands Roc Nation Empire, Roc Nations Sports Close Deal With Kevin Durant?

Jay-Z adds another major notch to his belt.  The "Reasonable Doubt" rapper has came along way since his du-rag Marcy Projects hallway hustler days, as he is now a licensed NBA agent.

Ron Berkowitz, a spokesman for Roc Nation Sports, confirmed to ESPN.com that, as of this week, Jay-Z is now licensed to work as an NBA agent, ESPN reported. Juan Perez, president of Roc Nation Sports, also is now certified with the National Basketball Players Association.

The news was first reported by the Sports Business Journal.

The mogul announced that earlier this year that he would sell his Brooklyn Nets ownership (less than 1%) to dive into a new aspect of professional sports. With his own sports agency, Roc Nation Sports Jay-Z and his team closed deals with some of the biggest athletes in the country. 

While athletes such as Geno Smith, Victor Cruz, Skylar Diggins, and Robinson Cano were allegedly signed to Roc Nations Sports with out the involvement of Jay-Z, according to ESPN, Jay-Z still may not have legal clearance to represent NBA players. A source close to the situation said that, as of Wednesday, the hip-hop mogul had not sold his small ownership share (less than 1 percent) of the Brooklyn Nets, ESPN reported.

Jay-Z 's ability to act as an agent has also been challenged by The National Football League Players Association.  The NFLPA launched a full investigation on Hov in May, for his involvement in the Roc Nation signing of New York Jets Player Eugene "Geno" Smith, according to NFL.com.

The NFLPA sent Roc Nation agent Kim Miale a letter to gather information regarding Jay-Z's role in Geno Smith's deal. Due to NFLPA rules passed in 2012, Jay-Z can't recruit players to sign with CAA unless he becomes an NFLPA-certified agent, which he has yet to do.

When Jay-Z's shares are officially sold, The first NBA player he is expected to sign is Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant, who told his agent, Rob Pelinka, in recent days that he would sign with Jay-Z. Durant has not commented publicly.