Josh Hart Bio
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 holds the Knicks franchise record for the most triple doubles in a single season.
Hart played college basketball for Villanova, where he was part of the team that won the national championship in 2016 and earned numerous accolades during his time as a player. Across both his college and professional careers he has logged minutes at shooting guard, as well as both forward spots, and is known for his hustle plays, high motor, and rebounding ability.
Early Life and Background
Hart was born on March 6, 1995, in Silver Spring, Maryland, to Moses and Pat Hart. He has two siblings. Growing up, Hart gravitated toward basketball, earning a reputation as a high-energy player. He reached the level of Eagle Scout in Scouting BSA in 2013.
While he excelled in basketball from a young age, Hart did not draw early interest from private schools, and he enrolled at Wheaton High School. 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. He was nearly removed from the school due to poor grades until several students and parents petitioned the administration to give him a second chance.
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 was ranked as the 82nd prospect in the class of 2013 by Rivals.com. After considering Rutgers and Penn State, Hart signed a letter of intent with Villanova in November 2012, where he got to know future Villanova teammate Kris Jenkins while playing AAU basketball in the Washington area.
Path to Basketball
Hart began his college career at Villanova as a 2013–14 Big East All-Rookie Team selection, averaging 7.8 points and 4.0 rebounds per contest. He was named Big East Rookie of the Week three times. 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, and he later scored a season-high 19 points in an 88–67 win over Rider on December 21, 2013.
As a sophomore, Hart was named the Big East’s Sixth Man of the Year in 2015. He was also the most outstanding player of the 2015 Big East tournament, the first bench player to receive the honor, and the tournament’s leading scorer at 17.7 points per game. He improved his three-point shooting to 47.3 percent, raising his season averages to 10.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
Josh Hart Career
Early Career (2013–2017)
Hart’s 2015–16 Wildcats were the unanimous coaches’ preseason selection to win the Big East. He scored a career-high 27 points to help Villanova defeat Akron 75–56 in the NIT Season Tip-Off, and on January 2, 2016, he scored 25 points in a win over Creighton. Hart led the Wildcats to reach number one in the AP Poll on February 8, 2016, and he was named to the 35-man midseason watchlist for the Naismith Trophy on February 11.
Hart was unanimously selected first-team All-Big East and was named a third-team All-American by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. He helped Villanova win its second national championship in school history and first since 1985, scoring 23 points in the Final Four against Oklahoma and 12 in the national championship game against North Carolina. As a senior in 2016–17, he was named Preseason Player of the Year, scored a career-high 37 points with 11 rebounds and four assists in a 74–66 win over Notre Dame, and was a consensus first-team All-American. On January 19, 2022, his number 3 jersey was retired by the Wildcats.
Los Angeles Lakers Era (2017–2019)
Hart was selected in the first round of the 2017 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz with the 30th overall pick and was subsequently traded to the Los Angeles Lakers along with the 42nd overall pick, Thomas Bryant. In his first start on December 14, 2017, Hart recorded a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He fractured his left hand in practice on February 28 and was sidelined until the end of March, and in his final game as a rookie he scored a career-high 30 points against the Los Angeles Clippers, shooting 7 of 9 from three.
Hart finished his rookie season averaging 7.9 points and 4.2 rebounds per game with 8 double-doubles, and he led the Lakers in three-point percentage at 39.6 percent. He 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 Summer League game-high of 37 points for the Lakers’ players. Prior to the 2018–19 season, he switched to jersey No. 3, and on March 28, 2019, the Lakers announced that he had undergone a successful ultrasonic debridement procedure on his right knee patellar tendon and was expected to miss the remainder of the season.
New Orleans Pelicans Era (2019–2022)
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. With the Pelicans, Hart provided versatile wing play and continued to build his reputation as a high-energy rebounder and defender over three seasons.
On February 16, 2021, Hart scored a season-high 27 points and grabbed nine rebounds during a 144–113 win against the Memphis Grizzlies, and on November 13, 2021, he recorded a career-high 11 assists in a 112–101 win over the same opponent. His steady two-way contributions in New Orleans helped solidify his role as a glue player heading into the next phase of his career.
Portland Trail Blazers Era (2022–2023)
On February 8, 2022, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired Hart, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Tomáš Satoranský, Didi Louzada, a protected 2022 first-round draft pick, and additional draft considerations from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for CJ McCollum, Larry Nance Jr., and Tony Snell. 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.
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. His strong play in Portland quickly made him a popular trade target around the league.
New York Knicks Era (2023–Present)
On February 8, 2023, the Trail Blazers reached an agreement to trade Hart to the New York Knicks, and the following day the deal was reworked into a four-team trade involving the Trail Blazers, Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Charlotte Hornets. 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, and on April 16 he made his career playoff debut with 17 points and 10 rebounds in a Game 1 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. On August 10, 2023, Hart signed a four-year, $81 million extension with the Knicks.
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, and on March 18 he 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 that feat. On December 30, 2024, he posted a triple-double with 23 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 126–106 win over the Washington Wizards, and on January 1, 2025, he added another triple-double of 15 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists in a 119–103 win over the Utah Jazz, becoming the fifth player in Knicks history to record consecutive triple-doubles. On March 25, 2025, Hart recorded 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists in a 128–113 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, setting a franchise record for the most triple-doubles in a season with nine, and he started all 77 games he played in during the 2024–25 NBA season, averaging 13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 5.9 assists.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hart is widely recognized for his high motor, relentless rebounding from the wing, and willingness to dive for loose balls. He has logged minutes at shooting guard and both forward spots, giving him the flexibility to guard multiple positions and contribute across the box score. His competitive energy and court awareness have made him a perfect complement to high-usage scorers throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hart was named the 2018 NBA Summer League MVP after setting a Summer League game-high of 37 points for the Lakers’ players, and in 2025 he helped the Knicks capture the NBA Cup championship. He also played every minute of a game against the Golden State Warriors in 2024, joining Clyde Frazier and Jerry Lucas in a select Knicks fraternity, and set the franchise single-season triple-double record with nine in 2024–25.
Josh Hart Career Wins
Joshua Aaron Hart has compiled an impressive collection of team and individual successes across college and the NBA, highlighted by a national championship with Villanova in 2016 and an NBA Cup title with the Knicks in 2025. He was also named a consensus first-team All-American in 2017 and the 2018 NBA Summer League MVP.
NBA Highlights
Hart won the NBA Cup championship with the New York Knicks in 2025, and he set the Knicks franchise record for the most triple-doubles in a single season with nine in 2024–25. He posted back-to-back triple-doubles on December 30, 2024, and January 1, 2025, becoming the fifth player in franchise history to achieve the feat.
Other Wins and Performances
Hart helped Villanova win the NCAA men’s basketball national championship in 2016, finishing his junior season as a third-team All-American. He was also the most outstanding player of the 2015 Big East tournament and a consensus first-team All-American as a senior in 2017.
Josh Hart Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hart was raised in Silver Spring, Maryland, by his parents, Moses and Pat Hart, alongside two siblings. His grand-uncle is former New York Yankees catcher Elston Howard, a notable connection to one of baseball’s most respected families. Hart has credited his upbringing and family support with shaping his hard-working, team-first approach to basketball.
Personal Life
Hart is married to Shannon Phillips, and the couple welcomed twin boys in May 2023. He is a fan of the New York Yankees, the Washington Commanders, and English Premier League club Chelsea F.C. Hart also gained attention for his love of candy, particularly Mike and Ike, and is an avid gamer who streams Call of Duty: Modern Warfare on his Twitch channel.
2025 Season Performance
Joshua Aaron Hart’s 2024–25 campaign with the New York Knicks cemented his reputation as one of the league’s most dependable role players. He started all 77 games he played in, averaging 13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 5.9 assists while setting the franchise single-season record with nine triple-doubles. On May 12, 2025, he was awarded the NBA annual minutes leader award for the season, averaging 37.6 minutes per game.
In the postseason, Hart continued to deliver, including a 10-point, 11-rebound, 11-assist performance in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, a 119–81 win over the defending champion Boston Celtics. That outing marked the third playoff triple-double in franchise history and the first since Walt Frazier in 1972. Hart underwent a surgical procedure on his right ring finger on July 16, 2025, following an injury suffered during the playoffs.
Looking ahead, Hart remains a central figure in the Knicks’ core under his contract extension that runs through the 2026–27 season. His combination of rebounding, defensive versatility, and playmaking provides the Knicks with a reliable two-way connector as they aim to build on their 2025 NBA Cup title and push deeper into the playoffs.