UConn coach Dan Hurley calls Adama Sanogo, his newest Husky, "a warrior."

Sanogo, a 6-9, 240-pound forward/center from The Patrick School in Hillside, N.J., officially became a member of the UConn basketball program after signing a national letter of intent.

UConn announced the signing on Thursday.

He verbally committed to the Huskies earlier this month.

"We are extremely pleased to have Adama join the UConn family," Hurley said in a released statement. "He's a warrior — the kind of young, talented, physical forward who we can mold into a high-level player. He's received great coaching at The Patrick School from Chris Chavannes and he was challenged by top competition both there and with the New York Rens."

Last season, Sanogo averaged 13.5 points and 10.5 rebounds. He decided to reclassify so he could join the Huskies this fall.

Sanogo started playing basketball just six years ago in his native Mali. He spent two years at Our Savior New American School in Centereach, N.Y., before transferring to The Patrick School.

"Physically, Adama separates himself from everyone else," Chavannes said. "He's extremely agile — he can go right and left, go by you, over you, and overpower you. He's a vacuum on the offensive and defensive boards. Coach Hurley is a tough coach and Adama will embrace that."

Sanogo fills Hurley's last available scholarship for the 2020-21 season. Seton Hall, Maryland and Nebraska also made his list of finalists.

UConn's incoming recruiting class also includes 7-1 center Javonte Brown-Ferguson and 6-7 forward Andre Jackson.

"Adama completes an outstanding recruiting class that we expect will put us in a position to compete at a championship level," Hurley said. "We are looking forward to the time when we can finally bring everybody to campus."

g.keefe@theday.com