Villanova's Josh Hart lands with the Lakers
When Josh Hart worked out for the Los Angeles Lakers, team officials spoke with him about the winning tradition he was part of for four years at Villanova and told him they wanted to develop that same culture with the Lakers.
When Josh Hart worked out for the Los Angeles Lakers, team officials spoke with him about the winning tradition he was part of for four years at Villanova and told him they wanted to develop that same culture with the Lakers.
Hart and the Lakers both got their wishes Thursday night, as one of the leaders of the Wildcats' most successful four-year run in program history officially took the next step in his basketball career in the NBA draft when he was selected by the Lakers as the last pick in the first round.
The Lakers traded with the Utah Jazz to obtain the 30th selection, and they chose Hart, only the second senior chosen in the first round.
"Just joy," the 6-foot-5, 209-pound Hart said Thursday night. "It's really kind of hard to describe. I was at a loss for words. It was amazing. I'm just so thankful to them and appreciative of this opportunity."
Hart said he spoke with team president Magic Johnson, general manager Rob Pelinka, and coach Luke Walton.
Asked what Johnson told him, Hart replied, "Just bring that winning culture that I have, and that was a big thing. This is something that we've got to keep building on.
"My workout there went well. I felt like that was one of my best workouts. My interview was great, just talking about culture building, winning, leadership, all those kinds of things, those intangibles. They just thought pretty highly of that so I was happy."
Hart, a shooting guard from Silver Spring, Md., flirted with the NBA draft last year before returning to the Wildcats for his senior season. He became one of the top players in the country, averaging 18.7 points and 6.4 rebounds while shooting 51 percent from the floor and 40 percent from three-point range.
Hart was voted Big East player of the year and made several All-America teams as he helped lead the Wildcats to a 32-4 record and the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament. Hart finished his Villanova career with 129 victories against only 17 defeats, the most wins by a class in program history, and was a key part of the 2016 national championship team.
Hart's selection in the first round means he will receive guaranteed money, which reportedly will be more than $1.1 million.
"Being a first-round pick for him and his family is really important so we're thrilled about that," Wildcats coach Jay Wright said Thursday night. "They said from his workouts that they loved all the little things that he did, his versatility, and the fact that he's a winner.
"He comes from a winning environment and everything he does is about winning, so they really like that. They want to build that in their culture, and they said that again when they called and said they were going to draft him."
Hart, who scored 1,921 points in his career, 10th on the school's all-time list, improved his shooting range last season, knocking down 74 three-point baskets. He distinguished himself in college in a number of areas, particularly at the defensive end and crashing the offensive boards.
When he worked out for teams last season, he was told to work on his ballhandling and to improve his long-range shooting. He did both. His three-point percentage rose from 35.7 percent as a junior to 40.4 percent as a senior.
Hart's experience, leadership and character – he is an Eagle Scout – also are a plus for the Lakers. He can defend multiple positions and was known throughout the Big East for his hustle.
@joejulesinq