SG Josh Hart, Villanova, SR
Josh Hart is entering his senior season after proving to be one of the pivotal pieces in Villanova’s 2016 title run, as the skilled comboguard led the way as the team’s most effective outside scorer and a consistent producer on both sides of the basketball. He’s projected as a late first, early second round prospect that Philly could look at as a solid backup plan on the perimeter.
Hart is a fairly average athlete, standing at 6’5” with a 6’7” wingspan and mediocre leaping ability, meaning his offensive game revolves more around skill and savvy rather than raw explosiveness. His more NBA-ready aspect is, without question, his three-point shooting. Hart has significantly improved his stroke over the course of his career with Nova, with his percentage from deep climbing all the way to 46% last season on almost three attempts per game. He’s a strong spot-up shooter, but has also improved his handles to the extent that he can operate in isolation in some scenarios and create enough space to get a shot off in that realm as well. He’s also an improved passer who could operate as a secondary ball handler to Simmons as the ideal shooting-passing compliment, while his ability to operate off of screens opens up a number of pick-and-roll opportunities in that situation.
On the defensive end, he’s an extremely competitive player who showcased great instincts over the course of his junior year. He overcomes his subpar lateral quickness with unyielding energy and excellent on-ball anticipation. He’s not going to be a stopper on the wing, but he can cover a couple of spots, switch well, and give sufficient effort in every facet.
Hart is the type of high I.Q. upperclassman that could always find a way to carve out a niche at the next level. His understands the limitations of his body and plays within them to an exceptional extent on a nightly basis. He has shown flashes of hybrid guard ability that could excite Sixers fans in their current rotational situation, and his spacing is still a desperately needed asset for the time being.
"“Hart contributes not only with his effort level, but also with his excellent basketball IQ. He makes the extra pass frequently and willingly, either moving the ball along on the perimeter, pushing it forward in transition, or finding his big men in post-entry situations. His intelligence and unselfishness bodes well for his role-player potential at the next level, especially since he’s unlikely to make it off his pure talent.”-Jonathan Givony, DraftExpress"
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At the end of the day, the 2017 NBA Draft will offer a smorgasbord of young talented players. Not only will the Philadelphia 76ers have their own draft pick, but will have the Los Angeles Lakers pick (top three protected) as well as the rights to swap with the Sacramento Kings.