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Lakers Obtain 30th Pick Josh Hart

Josh Hart’s trophy case is bursting open after a senior season that saw him named a First Team All-American, Big East Player of the Year and the Julius Erving Award for the nation’s top small forward.

After helping Villanova to the national championship the year before, Hart returned and elevated himself to one of the NCAA’s premier players.

He put up a conference-best 18.7 points per game, while also compiling the third-most win shares in the nation (7.7).

Able to do a bit of everything on offense, Hart made the most of his skill set thanks to his lauded basketball IQ.

Staying in college allowed him to make huge strides with his jumper, as his 3-point percentage ballooned from 31.3 percent as a freshman to 40.4 percent as a senior.

If he can maintain that at success from NBA range, he could develop into a prototypical 3 and D player.

Known for his intensity at Villanova, Hart used his solid frame to make games rough for opposing wings, as he averaged 1.5 steals and was named Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year.

Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka was impressed with Hart's training regimen and how he competes defensively.

“Josh Hart, I think, is built on defensive toughness,” Pelinka said. “That’s what he thrives on."