MEAC Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

3. R. J. Cole

Many remember Cole for his two seasons starring at UConn, but he got his start prior to that in the MEAC. A 6’1 point guard from Union, New Jersey, he began things off at Howard in 2017, becoming a major star during Kevin Nickleberry’s last two seasons leading the Bison program before transferring to UConn.

In a fantastic freshman season, Cole averaged 23.7 points and 6.1 assists per game, asserting himself as one of the nation’s best young guards at any level. He even had a 42-point performance in a win against UNC Wilmington. He’d lead the Bison to an even better season as a sophomore, finishing 3rd in the MEAC as a result. Cole was again dynamic all over the court, totaling 21.4 points, 6.4 assists, and 1.9 steals a game, including a near triple-double against Coastal Carolina in the CBI.

The league’s leader in points and assists in both seasons, Cole was named MEAC Rookie of the Year in 2018 and Player of the Year the following season. He was one of the nation’s best point producers, made a decent clip of 3-pointers, and had incredible offensive metrics in his two seasons with the Bison. Cole was phenomenal in his final two years with the Huskies, but he didn’t have these types of offensive numbers in the Big East.