Former BYU Center Matt Haarms Signs With Professional Team In Germany

PROVO, Utah – Former BYU and Purdue big man Matt Haarms will continue his basketball career with a pro team in Germany.

This week the 7-foot-3 Haarms officially signed a two-year contract with the Fraport Skyliners located in Frankfurt, Germany.

BIG NEWS 👀 Welkom in Frankfurt Matt Haarms 🇳🇱 Alle Infos zu unserem 2,21 Meter großen Neuzugang gibt es in der Pressemitteilung https://t.co/XZD9G69tYA 📱
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🏀 @easyCreditBBL #Frankfurt #FFM #Basketball #BIGLOVE #geMAINsam pic.twitter.com/j2fT0E3PPF

— FRAPORT SKYLINERS (@skyliners1999) July 13, 2021

“I have always dreamed of playing basketball professionally, and I am extremely grateful that the FRAPORT SKYLINERS give me this opportunity,” Haarms exclaimed in a statement on his signing. “I believe in the organization and the trainers and I am happy to work and live in such a great city. “

After three years with the Purdue Boilermakers, Haarms arrived at BYU with a lot of fanfare. He turned down Kentucky and Texas Tech to sign with the Cougars out of the Transfer Portal. He made his impact felt in one season at BYU.

Matt Haarms career snapshot at BYU

During his one year with the Cougars, Haarms became the WCC Defensive Player of the Year, averaging 1.96 blocks per game. In 25 games, Haarms averaged 11.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game for BYU, helping the Cougars land a 6-seed in the 2021 NCAA Tournament.

Haarms had the opportunity to return to BYU for one more season due to the NCAA’s free year of eligibility this past season due to COVID-19. BYU coach Mark Pope and assistant Chris Burgess recruited him hard, but Haarms stayed committed to only playing one year at BYU.

“I feel like the coaches did a great job with me, just helping me and my confidence, you know the way I approach the game, my work ethic, I feel like they really helped me,” said Haarms to KSL Sports during an interview in May. “And then, you know, going through the season with so many ups and downs in such a big year, I kind of feel like I can take on anything right now. You know, if I can get through a college season with all these crazy regulations, I feel I can get through a normal NBA or anywhere pro season. So I’m really proud of the year I spent here.”

Haarms joins a Skyliners roster that features a fellow All-West Coast Conference player in former Saint Mary’s guard Joe Rahon.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.