Matt Harpring

One collector is trying to find a single signature from every man who ever played for the Jazz — all 370 of them, from the 1974 New Orleans team to today. For many of them, this page is the only one on the internet. Here is Matt Harpring: what he did on the floor, a few things most people never knew, and every card that carries his name. If you own something he signed — or you know who might — there is a note at the foot of this page.

A three-time first-team All-ACC pick at Georgia Tech — a feat matched only by Mark Price — Harpring had his jersey retired and earned Academic All-America honors before Orlando drafted him 15th in 1998. Trades moved him through three teams until he signed with the Jazz in 2002 and played the best ball of his life: 17.6 points a game beside Malone and Stockton, runner-up for Most Improved Player, then team captain after the two legends departed.

Ankle surgery and a post-surgical infection ended his playing days in 2009, but Utah never really lost him. From 2010 to 2021 Harpring was the color analyst on Jazz telecasts alongside Craig Bolerjack, deploying a dry humor he admits he suppressed as a player.

HOW HE CAME & WENTHe signed as a free agent in August 2002 and found the ideal home — a hard, physical player in a motion offense — staying seven seasons. Chronic knee and ankle trouble ended it: he never reported for 2009-10, saying his body could no longer withstand NBA games, and his contract was traded to Oklahoma City that December.

Full name

Matthew Joseph Harpring

Utah Jazz tenure

2002–09

Position

Forward

Born

1976, Cincinnati

Height

6′7″ (201 cm)

Weight

229 lb (104 kg)

College

Georgia Tech

Drafted

1998, 1st round (No. 15), Orlando