Photo Credit: Liam Sment
While Virginia Tech has added Kansas State grad transfer Cartier Diarra and three-star PF David N'Guessan while losing Landers Nolley and Isaiah Wilkins, the Hokies are continuing to show interest in adding another transfer with one of those targets being Purdue big man Matt Haarms.
Unsurprisingly, the Hokies are from alone in being interested in Haarms, one of the best available grad transfers.
Purdue transfer Matt Haarms gave ESPN a list of more than 25 schools to reach out. pic.twitter.com/FbCXnJz8eH
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) April 6, 2020
The 7'3'' Matt Haarms has a host of schools across the spectrum of college basketball interested in him with Haarms almost certain to be headed to another major conference program. Haarms may only have one year, but he's the type of guy that not only can provide a strong interior presence but also veteran leadership that could be valuable at Virginia Tech and many other places.
As mentioned above, Haarms was a force in the paint averaging 8.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in 20.5 minutes per game this past season. Haarms has proven to be a quality two-way player who would not only give Tech a much-needed size boost, but would immediately be one of the best rim protectors in the ACC.
One priority that the Hokies have appeared to make with the transfers they've shown interest in is size with 6'7'' Rice transfer Drew Peterson also among those Tech is interested in. Haarms fits in that mold and would potentially allow Tech to even redshirt a guy like John Ojiako with Keve Aluma set to join VT on the floor after transferring from Wofford and sitting out last season.
Of course, it will be an uphill battle for Haarms who will likely be looking for the right combination of having a prominent role on a team that can compete at the highest level. However, there's no doubt that the Hokies would definitely benefit from adding a veteran leader and high-end rim protector like Haarms.