NCAA grants UTEP’s Matt Willms a sixth year of eligibility

The NCAA ruled that UTEP center Matt Willms will be granted a sixth year of eligibility and can return to the team for the 2017-18 season.

Willms has only played about three full seasons after dealing with multiple injuries throughout his career.

UTEP had to submit paperwork to the NCAA detailing the injury situation involving Willms, hoping for good news. The NCAA doesn’t always grant a sixth year of eligibility, but did in this case.

“He has enormous potential and getting him back is huge, both for him and for us,” said UTEP head coach Tim Floyd. “I’d like to thank the NCAA for their thorough review of his case and for making the right decision.”

Willms averaged 11.4 points per game to go along with 5.5 rebounds last season for the Miners.

He says he was concerned that the NCAA would rule him ineligible and was planning his future away from UTEP before the decision was handed down.

“When I first found out that I may not get my eligibility back next year, it started going through my head. What if I can’t play? Where do I go from here? Do I go overseas? Would I even have an option there?” Willms said.

Willms added that he would like to add 15 pounds in the offseason to improve his strength while continuing to work on his post moves.

“Those are my goals, just to try to get better and once the new guys come in, give them some pointers on what to work on and what to expect,” he said.