BYU’s Matt Haarms Appears On Top College Basketball Players List
Sep 24, 2020, 10:53 AM | Updated: 10:55 am
Matt Haarms #32 of the Purdue Boilermakers dunks late in the second half against the Old Dominion Monarchs during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at XL Center on March 21, 2019 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
PROVO, Utah – BYU graduate transfer Matt Haarms shocked many people in the college basketball world when he picked Mark Pope and the Cougars over Kentucky, Texas Tech, and dozens of others.
Many eyes around the country will be paying close attention to the 7-foot-3 Haarms, who was looking for a spot that would showcase his “NBA-ready skillset” during his final year as a collegiate player.
🆙🆙🆙 pic.twitter.com/4n66Fy2Sfo
— BYU Basketball (@BYUbasketball) September 11, 2020
“Matt Haarms knew exactly what he was getting into when he came. He hadn’t been here yet, hadn’t felt it, but he knew the expectations, he kind of knew the culture we were trying to grow and that we’re really serious about it,” BYU coach Mark Pope said. “He has fit in beautifully. That’s part of the reason why he chose to come here, because he fits. He’s taken on a real leadership role and he’s an extraordinarily talented player and his skill set is actually a little bit different than I thought it was even coming in. It’s been really exciting to watch him.”
With the season just around the corner, pre-season projections are beginning to pop up, and one outlet views Haarms as one of college basketball’s best.
Lindy’s Sports ranked Haarms as one of the top 150 players in college basketball for the 2020-21 season.
Haarms checked in at No. 125 on the list. The only BYU player to appear in Lindy’s ranking of the best in college hoops.
College Basketball is hopefully here soon. #BYU’s Alex Barcello on the cover of Lindy’s regional preview. #BYUHoops @kslsports pic.twitter.com/YsFFPIFZ6H
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 10, 2020
Haarms is the seventh-highest ranked player from the West Coast Conference on the list. The WCC had nine players ranked with six hailing from the expected pre-season No. 1 ranked team, Gonzaga.
Matt Haarms and the rest of the WCC players ranked in Lindy’s Top 150
4. Corey Kispert, Gonzaga
28. Drew Timme, Gonzaga
37. Colbey Ross, Pepperdine
41. Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga
56. Kessler Edwards, Pepperdine
61. Eli Scott, Loyola Marymount
125. Matt Haarms, BYU
128. Joel Ayayi, Gonzaga
138. Anton Watson, Gonzaga
The pre-season publication also ranked Haarms as a preseason first-team All-WCC selection with fellow BYU senior Alex Barcello as a second-team pick. 2020-21 College Basketball season tips off on November 25th.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm, KSL Newsradio). Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
