WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The National Collegiate Athletic Association announced on Thursday that a waiver has been granted for Yasin Kolo to be eligible to play immediately in the 2013-14 season, beginning with the Hawks' season opener on Nov. 9 against Quinnipiac in the annual Connecticut 6 Classic at Webster Bank Arena.

A transfer from East Carolina, Kolo, a 6-10 forward from Goettingen, Germany, has three seasons of eligibility remaining (2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16).

"We are happy that the NCAA has approved the waiver for Yasin Kolo," exclaimed Gallagher. "He adds great depth and versatility to our team."

Kolo transferred to Hartford from East Carolina during the summer and has been practicing with the team since his arrival. With the Pirates, he used one year of eligibility, playing in eight games as a redshirt-freshman in 2012-13.

Following the season opener against the Bobcats, the Hawks continue a top-heavy non-conference slate with back-to-back contests on Nov. 12 and Nov. 13. Heading south to the Sunshine State, Hartford is set to take on NCAA Sweet 16 team Florida Gulf Coast as part of ESPN's Marathon Day. The first-time matchup between the two squads will be aired live on ESPN2 at 7 a.m.

Hartford resumes action the next day, returning to the Nutmeg State and heading to Fairfield to kickoff the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Tournament at 7 p.m.

Posting a 17-win season in 2012-13, the second-most Division I wins in school history, Gallagher and his Hawks look to keep the momentum going from a year that featured several accomplishments and milestones. Highlighting that list is the Hawks' first-ever Division I postseason appearance, a bid to the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament.

In non-conference play last year, Hartford went 7-6, finishing about the .500 mark for just the fourth time in program history while posting the most wins since 1996-97.

For any questions regarding Kolo's waiver, please contact Sarah Boisonneaullt, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications, at 860.768.5110 or cote@hartford.edu.