Villanova’s Josh Hart
2016-17 season: 36 games played, 18.7 points on 57.9 percent shooting inside the arc (40.4 percent from 3 on 5.1 attempts per game), 6.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game
He’s become one of the many running jokes among Bulls fans on social media, but Villanova guard Josh Hart does seem like a type of player that John Paxson and Gar Forman would look to draft, at least based off their recent draft selections.
Hart is an experienced college player with loads of accolades, including a national title with the Wildcats two seasons ago and winning Big East Player of the Year this past season. As you’d expect, he’s already 22 years old and doesn’t have much explosiveness to his game on the wing, but you probably already knew that once I mentioned that he’d be a pick that GarPax would be looking into potentially.
(Best-case scenario) comparable players (via The Ringer’s NBA Draft Guide): Dallas Mavericks guard Wesley Matthews and “Old” Vince Carter
These comparisons feel almost too proper. Matthews and the “old” version of Carter aren’t explosive athletes that can wow you, but they’re both smart players that are efficient offensive options that can shoot from distance in a rotation for someone. Hart shot over 40 percent from deep last season and the potential to be a lesser 3-and-D option for a team (more 3 than D).
What does Draft Express think of Hart?
"Off the bounce, Hart lacks a degree of shiftiness and explosiveness, making it difficult for him to turn the corner at times already at the college level, but he is a highly capable straight driver who is quick to get downhill. He’s always been adept at using his strength off the bounce and remains a tremendously opportunistic finishing inside. Shooting 66% around the rim in the half court, Hart has long been one of the better finishing wings in the country, displaying good body control and a knack for drawing contact, allowing him to overcome his lack of freakish explosiveness around the rim. How his aggressiveness initiating contact and ability to finish against length translates to the NBA game remains to be seen, as his lack of creativity and leaping ability limited at times last season, despite his gaudy numbers in close. (Matt Kamalsky, DX)"