UConn received a signed athletics aid agreement from student-athlete RJ Cole, who will transfer to the university and join the men’s basketball program with two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Cole spent his first two collegiate seasons at Howard University and will sit out the 2019-20 season as per NCAA transfer rules, but will be able to practice with the team and be eligible for competition beginning in 2020-21. The 6-1 point guard was the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year in 2017-18 and the MEAC Player of the Year in 2018-19. Last season, he was an AP Honorable Mention All-American selection and a First Team All-ECAC pick.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to add a student-athlete of RJ’s talent, maturity and character to our program,” UConn coach Dan Hurley said. “His on-court skills will be a tremendous help, especially for our young guards, during practice this season and his influence in the locker room and off the court will be just as important. Then, obviously, we expect him to have a huge impact the following season. He is a quality young man.”

Cole averaged 22.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists in his two seasons at Howard, becoming the fastest player in school history to reach 1,000 career points (44 games). Cole is a product of the powerhouse basketball program at St. Anthony High School inJersey City, N.J., under Hall of Fame Coach Bob Hurley Sr. and the father of Dan Hurley.

— Day staff reports