Purdue Boilermaker’s former center Matt Haarms has committed to the BYU Cougars over the Kentucky Wildcats and Texas Tech Red Raiders. Haarms is considered one of the best graduate transfers of the year. He is a talented center listed at 7’3″ and 250 pounds and will be immediately eligible for the Cougars. This is a massive addition for head coach Mark Pop and the BYU program. The Cougars are hoping that Haarms can help the program compete against their West Coast Conference and powerhouse program, the Gonzaga Bulldogs.
Matt Haarms, the nation’s top available transfer, has committed to BYU over Kentucky and Texas Tech.
“I just felt an absolutely awesome connection with them,” Haarms told ESPN.
Immediately eligible. Averaged 8.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.0 blocks last season at Purdue.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) April 23, 2020
Haarms is valued largely for his amazing defense, ability down low, and his impressive 7’3″ stature. He has averaged two or more blocks per game all three years in college basketball. It is also worth noting that the most minutes he played per game was his sophomore year at only 22.9 minutes per game. BYU could have him average more minutes per game with a bigger role in the offense. Mark Pope is hoping Haarms will be the edge that the Cougars need to compete seriously in the West Coast Conference.
The announcement that he would be transferring from the Purdue Boilermakers came as a major shock to the program and to the college basketball world. Countless schools reached out, but he eventually narrowed it down to three. It was believed that Kentucky was the clear favorite, but overnight it became clear that BYU would likely land Haarms. Winning the commitment of a player over Kentucky and Texas Tech is rare and great news for the BYU program.
