UTEP Signs Seven Footer Matt Willms

Seven-foot-one center Matt Willms signed a national letter of intent to play for UTEP in the fall of 2012.  The Canadian big man comes to El Paso by way of Findlay Prep in Nevada.  Last season for Findlay, Willms averaged 8.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks for a 32-1 team that already has players signed with Arizona, Ohio State and UNLV for next season.

Willms currently tips the scale at a svelte 210 pounds, but there is no doubt he will put on weight when he arrives in El Paso.

Both Tim Floyd and Greg Foster commented on today's signing:

“We weren’t going to sign a player unless we felt he had a chance to be a first team all-league guy,” said UTEP coach Tim Floyd.  “Matt has the tools to become that at some point in his career.  He can really run, he has great hands and a great touch.  As he gets stronger his impact on the game could become significant.  He’s only been playing organized basketball the last two years, but he has the tools to excel at UTEP.”

“It has been a long time since UTEP has had a seven footer,” said UTEP assistant coach Greg Foster.  “He has a great skill set all the way around.  He has soft hands and he can run the floor.  He can score the ball with his back to the basket as well as shoot it out on the floor.  But probably his biggest asset is going to be his ability to block and change shots, since that has become fashionable in the college game again. He’s a great kid and seemed to get along great with everybody when he was here on his recruiting trip.  It’s an honor for me to help guide this kid’s future.”

Willms will be only the second true seven footer to log minutes for UTEP since Greg Foster left El Paso in 1990.