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NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing grad transfer Matt Haarms 10 teams

By Tristan Freeman

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MARCH 30: Matt Haarms #32 of the Purdue Boilermakers reacts against the Virginia Cavaliers during the first half of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at KFC YUM! Center on March 30, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MARCH 30: Matt Haarms #32 of the Purdue Boilermakers reacts against the Virginia Cavaliers during the first half of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at KFC YUM! Center on March 30, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – FEBRUARY 22: Ashton Hagans #0, Immanuel Quickley #5 and Tyrese Maxey #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – FEBRUARY 22: Ashton Hagans #0, Immanuel Quickley #5 and Tyrese Maxey #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /

Gonzaga Bulldogs

Few programs have had as much success as the Gonzaga Bulldogs, who will always have the interest of any player looking for a new team. And considering that they’re a consensus preseason top-5 team for 2020-21, Haarms would be playing for a national title contender as he was with Purdue before. He’d also be surrounded by quality talent, including sharpshooter Corey Kispert and five-star freshman Jalen Suggs.

Of course, whether Gonzaga is actually in the running all depends on what Filip Petrusev does. The WCC Player of the Year is making an NBA Draft decision and it sounds like it’s 50/50 right now. If he decides to come back, then the Bulldogs and their elite frontcourt would have no need for Haarms. If he declares and is gone anytime soon, then this becomes a realistic option.

Kentucky Wildcats

Head coach John Calipari seems to be trying to balance a “one and done” heavy roster and having some kind of veteran leadership. The Wildcats added Nate Sestina last season and just landed Creighton grad transfer guard Davion Mintz.

Similar to Gonzaga, Kentucky will be an option if Nick Richards is truly gone to the NBA. The odds seem to be that he’s going to go pro, leaving the starting center spot open for grabs. The Wildcats have the No. 1 incoming recruiting class for 2020 but none of them are true centers. Haarms would be the ideal fit at the five and play 20-25 minutes a night. He’d also get to play for a national title contender. But if having a big role is a goal as well, the star-studded roster, that’ll take time to gel regardless could pose potential fit options for this particular player.

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