University of Connecticut Athletics
2020-21 Men's Basketball Roster
R.J. Cole
- Height:
- 6-1
- Weight:
- 185
- Class:
- Redshirt Junior
- Hometown:
- Union, N.J.
While at UConn: After sitting out the 2019-20 season as a transfer from Howard, had an immediate impact in 2020-21, playing 23 games with 21 starts, leading the team in assists (4.3), steals (1.2), three-point fg percentage (.386), minutes played, and finishing second in scoring (12.2)... Named to USBWA All-District I Team... Named to 2020-21 BIG EAST All-Academic Team, following his selection to the 2019-20 AAC All-Academic Team... Will play as a graduate student in 2021-22 after earning a degree in Economics in May, 2021... Needs just 210 points for a college career total of 2,000 points.
As a Senior in 2020-21: Played in all 23 games, starting 21, averaging 12.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.2 steals per game and leading the team in 3-point shooting percentage (.386)... Was second in BIG EAST in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.5) and fifth in assists... Named BIG EAST Player of the Week on March 1 and to BIG EAST Honor Roll on Feb. 15... Had 16 double-figure scoring games, including season-high 24 points at Xavier... Had back-to-back 8-assist games in regular-season finale against Georgetown and BIG EAST tourney opener vs. Georgetown.
Before UConn: Came to UConn following two years at Howard University (Washington D.C.)... Had two stellar seasons at Howard, named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year in 2017-18 and the MEAC Player of the Year in 2018-19... Named AP Honorable Mention All-American and First Team All-ECAC in 2018-19... Appeared in 67 games at Howard, starting 66, and averaged 22.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and shot .404 overall and .370 from three-point range... Reached 1,000 career points in 44 games, faster than any player in Howard history... Left Howard with 1,510 points and 418 assists.
As a Sophomore in 2018-19 (at Howard University): Appeared in all 34 games, starting 33, averaging 21.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.8 steals, with a 2.0 assist-to-turnover ratio... MEAC Player of the Year after leading conference in scoring for second straight season... First Team All-ECAC... AP Honorable Mention All-American... Named MEAC Player of the Week five times... Scored double-figures in all 34 games, recorded 21 20-point games, including a season-high 36 with 7 three-pointers and 7 assists, at Norfolk State in last regular-season game.
As a Freshman in 2017-18 (at Howard University): Started all 33 games as a true freshman, averaging 23.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.7 steals per game... Led conference in scoring and ranked seventh nationally, also led league in assists and steals... MEAC Rookie of the Year after earning MEAC Rookie of the Week honors a record 13 times... ECAC Rookie of the Year... Named BOXTOROW National Player of the Year... Scored double figures in all 33 games, while scoring 20-plus points in 25 games, 30-plus points in five games, and a career-high 42 points against North Carolina Wilmington (12/22/17).
Before College: Three-year varsity starter at basketball powerhouse St. Anthony High School (Jersey City, N.J.), playing for legendary Hall of Fame coah Bob Hurley... As a junior, led St. Anthony to a perfect 32-0 record, the state championsp, and a No. 4 national ranking... Began high school career at Newark Tech, starting on the varsity as a freshman.
Personal Information: R.J. Cole ... Born August 24, 1999... Son of Javicia and Robert Cole... Has two older brothers and an older sister... Carried a 4.0 GPA at St. Anthony and was salutatorian of his graduating class... Father Robert was basketball standout at LIU Brooklyn, averaging 18.0 ppg as a junior and 18.2 ppg as a senior.
