R.J. Cole off to sizzling start as Howard’s hoops future looks bright

The MEAC had to deal with one big headache named Cole last year in 2016-17 player of the year Pat Cole of North Carolina Central. It looks like they have another “Cole” problem, this one up in D.C.
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Howard freshman R.J. Cole showed signs of being a force to be reckoned with in his first two games at the collegiate level. The rookie guard from New Jersey was named MEAC Rookie of The Week after averaging 25 points and seven assists in his first two games.

.@SAHSFriarNation alum RJ Cole has been on a scoring TEAR! Through 2 games he’s averaging 25-2-7.#FriarNation #Allin #jerseyguardsdifferent pic.twitter.com/oaZHPh1s37

– NJ Basketball (@NJHoopRecruit) November 13, 2017

Cole has gone for better than 20 points in each of his three games, including a 27 point outing against Indiana. The former St. Anthony’s star was five-for-eight from the 3pt line.

There isn’t usually a lot of hype when HBCUs sign basketball players straight out of high school, but Cole’s signing with Howard last year created a bit of a buzz. He’s yet to crack 40 percent from the field but with HU looking to replace the scoring punch it missed last season with now-departed James Daniel injured and add a compliment to C.J. Williams, don’t expect Cole to lose the green light anytime soon.

RJ Cole and CJ Williams getting ready for the season. #CanDoWillDo #GoBison! pic.twitter.com/YkF2wdEhgQ

– Howard Basketball (@HUMensBB) October 12, 2017

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Other MEAC Honors

Men’s Player of The Week
Femi Olujubi, North Carolina A&T

Olujobi was the MEAC’s top scorer after the first week of action as he averaged 27 points in two games played. He also averaged seven rebounds and shot 57.6 percent from the field. The 6-8 redshirt junior from Long Island, N.Y. opened the season with a 34-point, 10-rebound performance versus Greensboro College on Friday and followed it up with 20 points and seven rebounds at Clemson as the Aggies finished 1-1 on the week.

Women’s Player of The Week
Monnazjea Finney-Smith, Hampton

Finney Smith scored a career-high 25 points on a career-best seven 3-pointers in Hampton’s season-opening 70-66 win at North Carolina on Friday. Two of those 3-pointers came on back-to-back possessions during a 9-0 run that gave the Lady Pirates the lead with five minutes remaining. She also had five steals and three rebounds against the Tar Heels.

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