Hart Talks LOI
by Alex Schwartz
With Wednesday being the first day of that class of 2013 recruits could sign National Letters of Intent, Josh Hart took the opportunity to officially end his recruitment.
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Just over a month after committing to Villanova, the 6-foot-5 small forward rom Sidwell Friends (DC) is officially a Wildcat.
"It definitely feels like a relief," Hart told VUSports.com by phone Wednesday night. "I have everything behind me now and [I am] able to just focus on my senior year and just focus on school."
Hart said he signed his LOI at home around 7:30 a.m. and then faxed it when he got to school. He received a text from a member of the Villanova staff "probably around 8:30, 8:45" that they have received his paperwork.
The four-star prospect added that there was no ceremony at his school today, but Sidwell Friends will likely have one in the spring for all the athletes signing with colleges.
He discussed how he was feeling in the week leading up to signing day.
"Anxious and excited," Hart began. "Anxious to get it all over it and just everything else and also excited just to be a part of something bigger than myself. So, that was something exciting to become a part of."
Hart is the only member of the basketball team at Sidwell Friends who is signing. He talked about whether that makes it a bit more special to represent the squad, or if it is still personal.
"I think [it does] a little bit," Hart said. "It's definitely a personal thing, but I think it definitely kind of had that influence on the school."
The silky smooth wing talked about what he is most excited for about attending Villanova next year.
"Just kind of being part of the tradition," Hart said. "[Also] the coaching staff, a great group of guys . . . [and] hopefully being able to be successful next year."
Due to the fact that his phone died during the day, Hart did not have a chance to speak with Villanova's other 2013 commit, Kris Jenkins, during the day. However, he has been in touch with a few uncommitted players since committing to VU.
Hart said he has been speaking with 2014 recruits Phil Booth, Ja'Quan Newton and Tre Campbell, plus prime 2013 Villanova target Tyler Roberson. He talked about whether he thinks any of those players are leaning towards the Wildcats.
"I'm not sure, I think Tyler is going to be interesting," Hart said. "He's going to commit later on this week. I know it's Villanova, Syracuse and Kansas. I know Syracuse has a commitment from Chris McCullough, so hopefully that will push him towards Nova."
As Hart told VUSports.com in the past, his main goal for his senior season is winning an outright conference (MAC) championship.
Asked if he has any individual goals in addition to that, Hart replied, "A little bit. I'd definitely like to be All-MAC. I'd like to break my coach's scoring record at our school . . . Mostly I don't really care too much for the accolades and that kind of thing."
Hart elaborated a bit on where he stands in the scoring race compared to his coach, Eric Singletary.
"I think [he scored] 1,632," Hart noted. "The last two years at Sidwell I'm at about 950 or something like that. If I break it I'm going to do it in three years. I'm going do it in three, it took him four years."
On a completely separate note, President Barack Obama's children, Sasha and Malia, both attend Sidwell Friends. Hart talked about what it was like at the school last week due to the election.
"It was just like a typical week, nothing really going on," Hart said. "It was the same atmosphere and that kind of thing. It wasn't really too crazy."