Wikipedia

Josh Hart

For the drag racer, see Josh Hart (racer). For the baseball player, see Josh Hart (baseball).

Joshua Aaron Hart (born March 6, 1995) is an American professional basketball player for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected in the first round of the 2017 NBA draft as the 30th overall pick by the Utah Jazz before being traded on draft night to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Josh Hart
Hart in 2022
No. 3 – New York Knicks
PositionShooting guard / small forward
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1995-03-06) March 6, 1995 (age 29)
Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeVillanova (2013–2017)
NBA draft2017: 1st round, 30th overall pick
Selected by the Utah Jazz
Playing career2017–present
Career history
2017–2019Los Angeles Lakers
2017→South Bay Lakers
2019–2022New Orleans Pelicans
2022–2023Portland Trail Blazers
2023–presentNew York Knicks
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Hart played college basketball for Villanova. As a sophomore, Hart was named the Big East tournament most outstanding player. He was named a third-team All-American as a junior, when he helped lead the Wildcats to a national championship in 2016. As a senior in 2017, he was a consensus first-team All-American. He played two seasons for the Lakers before being traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019 in a package for Anthony Davis. Hart played three seasons with the Pelicans and was then traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in 2022. He was traded to the New York Knicks in 2023.

Early life

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Hart was born on March 6, 1995, in Silver Spring, Maryland, to Moses and Pat Hart. He has two siblings.[1] He is also the great-nephew of the baseball catcher Elston Howard.[2] Growing up, Hart gravitated toward basketball, earning a reputation as a high-energy player.[3] While he excelled in basketball from a young age, Hart didn't get any interest from private schools, and enrolled at Wheaton High School.[4] He briefly attended Wheaton before transferring to Sidwell Friends School, where as a junior he averaged 20.6 points and 11.6 rebounds per game.[1] However, he was nearly kicked out of school due to poor grades until several students and parents petitioned the school to give him a second chance.[5] As a senior, Hart averaged 24.3 points, 13.4 rebounds and 2.8 steals per game in leading the team to a 22–9 record. He was a first-team All-Met selection by The Washington Post and Rivals.com's 82nd-ranked prospect in the class of 2013.

After considering Rutgers and Penn State, Hart signed a letter of intent with Villanova in November 2012.[1] "It's about doing the things that the coaches want me to do," he said after committing. "I might not hit the winning three but I'm going to be the one that goes and gets a rebound when we need it and goes on the floor for a loose ball, anything to win."[6]

He got to know future Villanova teammate Kris Jenkins while playing AAU basketball in the Washington area.[7]

Hart reached the level of Eagle Scout in 2013 in Scouting BSA.[8]

College career

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Freshman

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A 2013–14 Big East All-Rookie Team selection, Hart averaged 7.8 points and 4.0 rebounds per contest as a freshman at Villanova. He was named Big East Rookie of the Week three times.[1] He did not shoot the ball particularly well, making 31 percent of his three-point tries, but possessed "amazing confidence," according to assistant coach Baker Dunleavy.[9] In the second game of his collegiate career, a 90–59 win over Mount St. Mary's, Hart posted a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds.[10] He scored a season-high 19 points in an 88–67 win over Rider on December 21, 2013.[11] Hart had 18 points and eight rebounds in a loss to Seton Hall in the Big East tournament quarterfinals.[7]

Sophomore

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Hart and teammate Darrun Hilliard both scored 20 points in an 85–62 rout of Temple on December 14, 2014.[12] Hart scored 21 points in a December 20 game against Syracuse. The Wildcats never led in regulation and were down by 14 points in the second half, but managed to pull out an 82–77 overtime win.[13] On February 28, 2015, in the second half of a game against Xavier, Hart was hit in the mouth during a scramble for the ball, requiring stitches on his lip.[9]

As a sophomore, Hart was named the Big East's sixth man of the year at the conclusion of the regular season. "He's the perfect sixth man because he can come in and play any position except probably point guard," head coach Jay Wright said.[14] Hart was the most outstanding player of the 2015 Big East men's basketball tournament, the first bench player to receive the honor. He was the tournament's leading scorer at 17.7 points per game,[15] including a 20-point performance in an 84–49 quarterfinals victory over Marquette.[16] He improved his three-point shooting to 47.3 percent, forcing opposing teams to guard him more on the perimeter.[9] He improved his season averages to 10.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.[1]

Junior

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Hart's 2015–16 Wildcats were the unanimous coaches preseason selection to win the conference.[17] In the NIT season tip-off, Hart scored a career-high 27 points to help Villanova defeat Akron by a score of 75–56.[18] On January 2, 2016, Hart scored 25 points in a win over Creighton.[19] Hart led the Wildcats to reach number one in the AP Poll by climbing to the top of the 2015–16 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings on February 8.[20] He was named to the 35-man midseason watchlist for the Naismith Trophy on February 11.[21]

At the conclusion of the regular season, Hart was unanimously selected first-team All-Big East.[22] Hart was named a third-team All-American by the National Association of Basketball Coaches[23] He then helped Villanova win its second national championship in school history, and first since 1985. On the season, he averaged 15.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. Hart briefly thought about the 2016 NBA draft, but pulled his name out before the deadline.[24]

Senior

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Hart as a Villanova senior in 2017

Coming into his senior season, Hart's Wildcats were projected to win the Big East by the coaches and he was named Preseason Player of the Year.[25] He was named to the Associated Press preseason All-America team on November 2, 2016.[26]

In November Hart scored a then-career high 30 points vs Wake Forest in a 96–77 win at the Charleston Classic.[27] On December 10, Hart scored a career-high 37 points along with 11 rebounds and four assists in a 74–66 win over Notre Dame to push No. 1 Villanova to a 10–0 record.[28]

On March 11, 2017, in the regular season finale versus Creighton Bluejays Hart scored 29 points in a 74–60 win.[29] Unlike the previous season, Hart's Villanova career would end in disappointment, when Bronson Koenig outgunned Hart and the other Wildcats while leading the Wisconsin Badgers to a 65–62 victory in the 2nd round in the Tournament.[30]

On January 19, 2022, Hart's number 3 jersey was retired by the Wildcats.[31]

Professional career

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Los Angeles Lakers (2017–2019)

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Hart was selected in the first round of the 2017 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz with the 30th overall pick. He was subsequently traded to the Los Angeles Lakers along with the 42nd overall pick, Thomas Bryant, in exchange for the Lakers' 28th overall pick, Tony Bradley.[32] In his first start on December 14, 2017, Hart recorded a double-double against the Cleveland Cavaliers, scoring 11 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.[33] Hart fractured his left hand in practice on February 28 and was sidelined until the end of March. In his final game as a rookie, Hart scored a career-high 30 points against the Los Angeles Clippers, shooting 7 of 9 from three. Hart finished the season averaging 7.9 points per game and 4.2 rebounds per game, recording 8 double-doubles. Hart shot 39.6% from three, leading the team in three-point percentage.

Hart was named the league MVP of the 2018 NBA Summer League after averaging 24.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game and setting a new Summer League game-high of 37 points for the Lakers' players.[34] Prior to the 2018–19 season, he switched his jersey to No. 3 after playing with No. 5 as a rookie.[35] On March 28, 2019, the Lakers announced that Hart had undergone a successful ultrasonic debridement procedure on his right knee patellar tendon and was expected to miss the remainder of 2018–19 season.[36]

New Orleans Pelicans (2019–2022)

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On July 6, 2019, the Lakers traded Hart, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, the draft rights to De'Andre Hunter, two first round picks, a first-round pick swap, and cash to the New Orleans Pelicans for All-Star Anthony Davis.[37]

On February 16, 2021, Hart scored a season-high 27 points and grabbed nine rebounds during a 144–113 win against the Memphis Grizzlies.[38]

On November 13, 2021, Hart recorded a career-high 11 assists in a 112–101 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.[39]

Portland Trail Blazers (2022–2023)

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On February 8, 2022, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired Hart, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Tomáš Satoranský, Didi Louzada, a protected 2022 first-round draft pick, the better of New Orleans’ and Portland's 2026 second-round draft picks and New Orleans’ 2027 second-round draft pick from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for CJ McCollum, Larry Nance Jr. and Tony Snell.[40] On March 12, Hart scored a career-high 44 points, along with 8 rebounds and 6 assists, on 15-of-21 shooting and 6-of-9 from beyond the arc in a 127–118 victory over the Washington Wizards.[41]

On November 7, 2022, Hart put up 12 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, alongside a buzzer-beating, game-winning three in a 110–107 win over the Miami Heat.[42]

New York Knicks (2023–present)

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Hart stands next to his former coach Chauncey Billups during a game against the Trail Blazers in 2024.

On February 8, 2023, the Trail Blazers reached an agreement to trade Hart to the New York Knicks for Cam Reddish, Ryan Arcidiacono, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, and draft considerations.[43] The following day, the deal was reworked into a four-team trade involving the Trail Blazers, Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Hornets, with the Knicks receiving Hart, the Trail Blazers receiving Arcidiacono, Reddish, Matisse Thybulle, and draft considerations, the 76ers receiving Jalen McDaniels and the Hornets receiving Mykhailiuk.[44][45] On February 11, Hart made his Knicks debut, recording 11 points, four assists, and seven rebounds in a 126–120 win over the Utah Jazz.[46] On April 16, Hart made his career playoff debut, recording a double double of 17 points and 10 rebounds, along with two assists and a steal in a game 1 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.[47]

On August 10, 2023, Hart signed a four-year, $81 million extension with the Knicks.[48] On January 30, 2024, Hart recorded his first career triple-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 118–103 win over the Utah Jazz.[49] On February 8, Hart recorded his second career triple-double with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists in a 122–108 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.[50] On February 26, Hart put up a game-winning layup in a 113–111 win over the Detroit Pistons.[51] On March 18, Hart played all 48 minutes of a victory against the Golden State Warriors, joining Clyde Frazier and Jerry Lucas as the only players in franchise history to accomplish the feat.[52] On April 20, during Game 1 of a first round match up against the Philadelphia 76ers, Hart scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds during a 111–104 win.[53]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

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Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017–18 L.A. Lakers 63 23 23.2 .469 .396 .703 4.2 1.3 .7 .3 7.9
2018–19 L.A. Lakers 67 22 25.6 .407 .336 .688 3.7 1.4 1.0 .6 7.8
2019–20 New Orleans 65 16 27.0 .423 .342 .739 6.5 1.7 1.0 .4 10.1
2020–21 New Orleans 47 4 28.7 .439 .326 .775 8.0 2.3 .8 .3 9.2
2021–22 New Orleans 41 40 33.5 .505 .323 .753 7.8 4.1 1.1 .3 13.4
Portland 13 13 32.1 .503 .373 .772 5.4 4.3 1.2 .2 19.9
2022–23 Portland 51 51 33.4 .504 .304 .731 8.2 3.9 1.1 .2 9.5
New York 25 1 30.0 .586 .519 .789 7.0 3.6 1.4 .5 10.2
2023–24 New York 81 42 33.4 .434 .310 .791 8.3 4.1 .9 .3 9.4
Career 453 212 29.2 .459 .344 .748 6.6 2.7 1.0 .3 9.8

Playoffs

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2023 New York 11 5 32.1 .479 .313 .636 7.4 2.2 .8 .3 10.4
2024 New York 13 13 42.1 .440 .373 .729 11.5 4.5 1.0 .8 14.5
Career 24 18 37.5 .455 .352 .700 9.6 3.5 .9 .5 12.6

College

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2013–14 Villanova 34 1 21.4 .500 .313 .677 4.4 .9 .6 .3 7.8
2014–15 Villanova 36 2 25.5 .515 .464 .670 4.5 1.5 1.1 .4 10.1
2015–16 Villanova 40 39 31.4 .513 .357 .752 6.8 1.9 1.2 .3 15.5
2016–17 Villanova 36 35 33.1 .510 .404 .747 6.4 2.9 1.6 .3 18.7
Career 146 77 28.0 .511 .389 .720 5.6 1.8 1.1 .3 13.2

Awards and honors

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College
 
Hart dunking the basketball in 2017

Personal life

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Hart plays video games, such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, on his Twitch channel.[54]

He is a fan of his hometown club Washington Commanders, and of English Premier League football club Chelsea F.C.[55][56]

In October 2020, he donated $10,000 to the relief efforts for the Napa Valley wildfires.

Hart is married to Shannon Phillips, with whom he has twin boys, born in May 2023.[57][58] His grand-uncle is former New York Yankee Elston Howard.[59]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Josh Hart Biography". Villanova Wildcats. Villanova University. Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  2. ^ Frank, Reuben (April 4, 2016). "Josh Hart's long looked up to Elston Howard, uncle he never met". NBC Sports Philadelphia. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  3. ^ Juliano, Joe (January 28, 2015). "Villanova's Hart says he'll never stop hustling". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  4. ^ Parker, Brandon (December 25, 2012). "Josh Hart makes the most of second chance at Sidwell Friends on and off the court". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  5. ^ Donnellon, Sam (March 13, 2015). "Hart puts his soul into Villanova's win over Marquette". Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  6. ^ Juliano, Joe (October 17, 2013). "Villanova gets commitment from Washington, D.C. swing man". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  7. ^ a b Juliano, Joe (March 21, 2014). "'Nova freshmen Hart and Jenkins make their mark". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on September 23, 2014. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  8. ^ a b 2013
  9. ^ a b c Sielski, Mike (March 23, 2015). "'Nova's Josh Hart has earned respect with his shooting". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  10. ^ "Villanova shoots downs Mount St. Mary's 90–59". ESPN. Associated Press. November 13, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  11. ^ "Josh Hart scores 19 points as No. 8 Villanova tops Rider". ESPN. Associated Press. December 21, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  12. ^ "No. 7 Villanova stays undefeated, routs Temple". ESPN. Associated Press. December 14, 2014. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  13. ^ Rubin, Roger (December 20, 2014). "Villanova storms back in OT win over Syracuse, 82–77". New York Daily News. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  14. ^ Frank, Reuben (March 15, 2015). "Big East preview: 6th man Josh Hart Villanova's unsung hero". CSNPhilly. Archived from the original on May 26, 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  15. ^ Frank, Reuben (March 15, 2015). "Villanova's Josh Hart an unlikely Big East tournament MVP". CSNPhilly. Archived from the original on May 22, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  16. ^ "No. 4 Villanova routs Marquette 84–49 in Big East quarters". ESPN. Associated Press. March 12, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  17. ^ Hille, Bob (October 14, 2015). "Coaches unanimously pick Villanova to win Big East again". Sporting News. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  18. ^ "Hart's 27 points lead No. 11 Villanova over Akron 75–56". ESPN. Associated Press. November 22, 2015. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  19. ^ "Hart, Ochefu lead No. 16 'Nova to 85–71 win over Creighton". ESPN. Associated Press. January 2, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
  20. ^ Beaton, Andrew (February 8, 2016). "Villanova Ranked No. 1 for First Time in AP Poll". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  21. ^ Payne, Terrence (February 11, 2016). "Naismith Trophy midseason list announced". Fox Sports. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  22. ^ "Four Named Unanimously to MBB All-BIG EAST First Team". Big East Conference. March 6, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  23. ^ Martin, Derek (March 28, 2016). "ISU's Niang named second-team All-America by NABC".
  24. ^ Norlander, Matt (May 26, 2016). "Villanova's leading scorer, Josh Hart, pulls out of NBA Draft and will return to school". CBS Sports. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
  25. ^ Norlander, Matt (October 11, 2016). "Coaches Pick Villanova to win Big East, Josh Hart as Player of the Year". CBS Sports. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
  26. ^ "Duke's Allen leads AP preseason All-America team". Foxsports.com. November 2, 2016. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  27. ^ "Hart scores 30, leads No. 3 Villanova over Wake Forest 96–77". ESPN. Associated Press. November 18, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  28. ^ "No. 1 Villanova beats No. 23 Notre Dame 74–66". ESPN. Associated Press. December 10, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  29. ^ "Defending champion Villanova in line for No. 1 overall seed after Big East tournament title". ESPN. Associated Press. March 11, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  30. ^ "Wisconsin vs. Villanova – Game Recap – March 18, 2017 – ESPN".
  31. ^ "Villanova to Retire Hart's Jersey on January 19". Villanova. January 6, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
  32. ^ "Lakers Acquire Josh Hart, Thomas Bryant in Trade with Utah". NBA.com. June 22, 2017. Retrieved July 4, 2017.
  33. ^ "Lakers' Josh Hart: Starting at shooting guard Wednesday". CBS Sports. December 21, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  34. ^ Youngmisuk, Ong (July 17, 2018). "Lakers' Josh Hart, who set out to dominate, named summer league MVP". ESPN. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  35. ^ Moreno, Matthew (July 27, 2018). "Lakers Offseason: Josh Hart Changes To Jersey No. 3". Lakers Nation. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  36. ^ "Josh Hart Medical Update". NBA.com. March 28, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  37. ^ "Lakers Acquire Anthony Davis" (Press release). Los Angeles Lakers. July 6, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  38. ^ Williamson strong inside as Pelicans trounce Grizzlies
  39. ^ "Grizzlies vs. Pelicans – Box Score – November 13, 2021 – ESPN".
  40. ^ "TRAIL BLAZERS COMPLETE TRADE WITH NEW ORLEANS" (Press release). Portland Trail Blazers. February 8, 2022.
  41. ^ "Hart scores 44 as Trail Blazers top Wizards, end 6-game skid". NBC Sports. March 12, 2022.
  42. ^ Guinhawa, Angelo (November 7, 2022). "Josh Hart stuns Heat, banks buzzer-beater in wild finish for Blazers". ClutchPoints. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  43. ^ Maloney, Jack (February 9, 2023). "Josh Hart-Cam Reddish trade grades: Solid move for Knicks; Blazers take sellers' stance". CBS Sports. CBS Interactive, Inc. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  44. ^ "New York Knicks Acquire Josh Hart". NBA.com. February 9, 2023.
  45. ^ "Sixers add Jalen McDaniels, trade Matisse Thybulle to Blazers in 4-team deal". NBA.com. February 9, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  46. ^ "Josh Hart everywhere in debut as Knicks beat Jazz 126-120". amny.com. February 12, 2023.
  47. ^ "Knicks vs. Cavaliers - NBA Game Recap - April 15, 2023". ESPN. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  48. ^ "Knicks G Josh Hart agrees to 4-year, $81M extension". SportsNaut.com. August 9, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  49. ^ House, Alex (January 30, 2024). "Knicks: Josh Hart's hilarious wish after 3-point shooting woes in win vs. Jazz". ClutchPoints. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  50. ^ "Luka Doncic scores 39 points to lead Mavericks to 122-108 victory over short-handed Knicks". ESPN.com. February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  51. ^ Guinhawa, Angelo (February 26, 2024). "Pistons' Cade Cunningham shares angry 1-word reaction to soul-crushing loss to Knicks". ClutchPoints. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  52. ^ "Josh Hart's iron-man feat earned him place in Knicks history". nypost.com. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  53. ^ Knicks Rally Past 76ers
  54. ^ Polacek, Scott. "Video: Watch Pelicans' Josh Hart Get Roasted by Call of Duty Players on Twitch". Bleacher Report. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  55. ^ Walsh, Jackie. "Josh Hart tries to recruit Stefon Diggs to Redskins amidst trade rumors". NBC Sports Washington. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  56. ^ "THE FAMOUS CHELSEA FC: NBA STARS JOSH HART AND LARRY NANCE JR". Chelsea Football Club. April 14, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  57. ^ "NBA Stars Josh Hart And Damian Lillard Wed Their High School And College Sweethearts And The Photos Are Everything". Essence. September 9, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  58. ^ Scott, Jelani (May 12, 2023). "Knicks' Josh Hart Celebrated Major Personal News Friday Before Game 6 vs. Heat". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  59. ^ "Josh Hart's long looked up to Elston Howard, uncle he never met". April 4, 2016. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
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