Josh Hart is the ultimate glue guy for Team USA.
In their opening game of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 in Group C against New Zealand, a 99-72 victory, Hart had a modest performance – but something remarkable caught the eye on the stat sheet.
The six-year NBA veteran boasted an impressive game-high plus-28 rating against the Tall Blacks, despite contributing just five points and four rebounds.
Moving on to their next game against Greece, Hart showcased his well-rounded abilities. He came off the bench with six points, 11 rebounds, and five assists.
However, moments after their resounding 109-81 victory over Hellas, the New York Knicks forward downplayed his own performance.
“Just playing hard, being in the right place at the right time,” quipped Hart.
Jalen Brunson paid his compliments to Hart during the post-game press conference.
Brunson and Hart share a long history, having been teammates at Villanova University for two seasons from 2015 to 2017.
They reunited in New York after the Knicks acquired Hart from Portland at the trade deadline in the recent NBA season.
This summer, the 28-year-old Hart signed a four-year extension with New York, and they also signed his Villanova teammate Donte DiVincenzo, bringing the trio back together.
“Ever since I’ve known Josh since the day we met almost 10 years ago, he’s been the same player, he’s had the same mindset since the day I met him,” said Brunson.
“He brings that toughness, that effort, and he’s a different man. He goes out there, he’s relentless and he’s been doing this since the day I met him.”
Head coach Steve Kerr echoed Brunson’s sentiments. Brunson had an impressive 13 points on a flawless shooting night, going 5-of-5 from the field and 2-of-2 from the free-throw line.
“Josh is just a winner. People ask what position does he play? He plays winner. I don’t know what position he plays but he gets loose balls, he guards anybody,” said Kerr.
“At one point, Spo (Erik Spoelstra) turned to me and said ‘some people get 50-50 balls, he gets the 30-70 balls’ and I thought that was really well said.”
