Purdue Center Matt Haarms Enters Transfer Portal

Purdue fans received some bad news today when it was announced that 7’3” center Matt Haarms has entered the transfer portal.

The enthusiastic big averaged 8.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game in his junior season and will have one season of eligibility remaining.

Haarms produced a similar stat line to his sophomore season, but had lost out on the starting spot to Trevion Williams and was only averaging 20.5 minutes per game. With Williams solidifying the five spot it isn’t a huge surprise that Haarms decided to look elsewhere in hopes of landing a starting spot and avoid splitting minutes.

According to 247Sports, Matt Haarms has heard from more than 20 schools already.

“It’s been a wild day,” said Haarms. “Have about 30 missed calls that I still need to catch up with.”

247Sports lists a mix of power conference schools and mid-majors, including Gonzaga, Minnesota, Louisville, Kentucky, Arizona and a slew of others. Haarms is set to graduate in the spring so he will be eligible for the 2020-21 season.

With Williams set to return for his junior season Purdue will be set at the starting five spot. The question is who will backup Williams next season. Emmanuel Dowuona is the most likely prospect that is currently on the roster, but the 6’10” center didn’t play much this season. Purdue does add a three star center in Zach Edey, who also measures in at 7’3”, but Edey would be an inexperienced option.

The reality is Matt Painter now has a scholarship open so there’s a decent chance he’ll hit the grad transfer market in attempts to find another forward/center to add some experience and depth to the frontcourt. Painter found some success when he was able to land Evan Boudreaux and will likely to try to do so again this summer.