Storrs – UConn filled its final scholarship by adding a second international player in about a two-week span to its men’s basketball roster.

Apostolos Roumoglou, a 6-foot-7 forward from Greece, arrived on campus on Thursday. He watched Friday’s practice in the Werth Center and then took some shots afterwards.

Both Roumoglou and Israeli forward Yarin Hasson, who joined the program on Aug. 24, are young players expected to add depth.

“The more we thought about it, it was important to us because of how important practice is to our program to get more guys in here so that we can practice the way we need to practice to prepare for Big East games, which are different than most conference games,” coach Dan Hurley said.

“... We like his size. And both guys just give us some young players that have a chance to develop. Obviously, it’s going to take them time because they’ve never even played basketball in the states.”

Both players need time to acclimate to their new surroundings and adjust to the demands of school and basketball practice.

“We can’t put them into what’s happening right now,” Hurley said. “Their heads are spinning. One of those guys got in last week and he’s on more stable ground. Apostolos will be able to get in there relatively quickly because he’s a little bit older than Yarin.

“Yarin is a young guy. If he was playing high school in the states, he’d be going into his junior year.”

Junior Andre Jackson is doing all he can to help his new teammates.

“Definitely a big culture shock,” Jackson said. “I’m just trying to be around them and just always reaching out to them saying, `If you need anything, just let me know.’ … I know that if I was to go to Israel right now, I would have no clue how to do a lot of things. I’m just trying to be there for those guys to help them out.”

Roumoglou, 19, still has to take a physical.

The coaching staff has been interested in Roumoglou for about a month.

“Some zooms and watching film and trying to learn as much as we can,” Hurley said.

Roumoglou most recently played for PAOK mateco of the Greek Basketball Champions League. Last year playing for the Greek U18 national team, he averaged 8.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.

Hasson is already practicing with the team.

“Overally, he just brings great energy to practice,” Jackson said of Hasson. “He’s an energy giver, not an energy taker. He just brings a lot. He’s always talking on defense and in our drills. He’s really somebody that’s fun to be around. He takes his basketball very seriously. He loves to be here at UConn with all these resources.

“It’s just great to have him. Now we’ve got that kid from Greece. It’s going to be a great team.”

Since the end of last season, the Huskies have added eight players, including Alex Karaban who sat out last year as a redshirt.

Hurley likes his team’s depth.

“It’s just the most competitive top 10 that we’ve had since I’ve been here,” said Hurley, who’s in his fifth year.

Big East schedule out

The Big East released the conference schedule on Friday. UConn opens league play at Butler in Indianapolis on Saturday, Dec. 17 and then hosts Georgetown at Gampel Pavilion on Tuesday, Dec. 20.

I”m ready and excited to get into it,” Jackson said.

The Huskies play four league games before Jan. 1 and travel to Villanova on March 4 in the regular season finale.

Their 20-game league schedule includes a difficult stretch against Villanova in Hartford on Dec. 28, at Xavier Dec. 31, at Providence Jan. 4 and against Creighton in Storrs on Jan. 7.

“It’s hard,” Hurley said of the Big East schedule. “And it’s exciting. I just can’t wait to get into those games. I think the league is going to play, top to bottom, a lot tougher.”

News and notes

Former UConn standout Emeka Okafor, an All-American on the court and in the classroom during his time in Storrs, as well as a member of the 2004 national championship team, recently visited campus. “He spoke to the team and spent time with Adama (Sanogo), which was cool,” Hurley said. “He spent a lot of time with the staff and spent some time with Donovan (Clingan), too. Just tried to absorb some of that greatness in every aspect of his life.” ... UConn commit Stephon Castle, a talented 6-6 wing from Georgia, is taking his official visit this weekend. He had a terrific summer, earning a gold medal as a member of the United States U18 national team. A member of the Class of 2023, he committed to UConn last November. ... Recruit Jaylin Stewart, a highly-regarded 6-7 forward from Seattle, also will be visiting.

g.keefe@theday.com