Josh Hart

Josh Hart is a professional basketball player and guard for the New York Knicks in the National Basketball Association. Hart is recognized for his defensive versatility, rebounding ability, and consistent contributions on both ends of the court.

Before joining the NBA, Hart played college basketball at Villanova, where he was named Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player as a sophomore. He earned third-team All-American honors as a junior and was a consensus first-team All-American as a senior. Hart helped lead Villanova to a national championship, scoring 23 points in the Final Four against Oklahoma and 12 points in the title game against North Carolina. He became the first Villanova player to receive the Julius Erving Award, given to the nation's top small forward, and was named both Big East and Philadelphia Big Five Player of the Year. Hart finished his college career as the only Villanova player to record at least 1,900 points, 800 rebounds, 250 assists, and 150 steals.

Hart was selected in the first round of the NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz with the 30th overall pick and was subsequently traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. He played two seasons for the Lakers before being traded to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of the Anthony Davis trade. After three seasons with the Pelicans, Hart was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers and later to the New York Knicks. He signed a four-year, $81 million extension with the Knicks, solidifying his role as a key contributor to the team's resurgence. Hart also represented the United States national team at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, leading the team in rebounding during the tournament.

With the Knicks, Hart set the franchise record for most triple-doubles in a single season. He started all 77 games in one NBA season, averaging 13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 5.9 assists. Hart led the NBA in minutes played per game, averaging 37.6. In a playoff game against the Boston Celtics, he recorded 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists, marking the third playoff triple-double in franchise history and the first since Walt Frazier. Hart became the first Knick to average more than 42 minutes per game in a single postseason since 2004.

Hart has faced challenges off the court, including undergoing surgery on his right ring finger after a playoff injury and experiencing nerve damage in his shooting hand. The nerve damage affected his ability to feel his middle and pinky fingers during games and daily activities. Despite these setbacks, Hart continued to perform at a high level, posting a playoff career-high 26 points in a victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals and helping the Knicks reach the NBA Finals. Since joining New York, Hart has established himself as a reliable two-way player, known for his defense, hustle, and rebounding, and remains a vital part of the Knicks' rotation.