VILLANOVA'S BASKETBALL program has received its second oral commitment for the recruiting class of 2013, and once again, it's a player from the nation's capital.
Josh Hart, a 6-5 senior shooting guard from Sidwell Friends, announced Tuesday afternoon that he will be a Wildcat. The other finalists were Rutgers and Penn State.
Two months ago, Jay Wright had landed Kris Jenkins, a 6-6 power forward from Gonzaga High. Both have been rated between the high 80s to low 60s among the top 100 prospects.
"This was an early priority for Villanova," said Norm Eavenson, scouting associate for Bob Gibbons All Star Sports. "[Hart] is extremely versatile, with the ability to score inside and outside. He raised his stock this past summer [in AAU ball], by demonstrating efficient, energetic play. His overall skill set includes good court vision, solid shotmaking, the ability to score through contact and rebounding."
In 2013, the Wildcats also will have guard Dylan Ennis, a transfer from Rice with three seasons of eligibility remaining. But officially he counts toward this year's group, with freshmen Ryan Arcidiacono, Daniel Ochefu and Mislav Brzoja.
The Wildcats are coming off a 13-19 season. They must replace their two leading scorers, Maalik Wayns and Dominic Cheek, who both left early to go pro. They also lost freshman big man Markus Kennedy, who transferred to SMU after averaging three points and four rebounds in nearly 15 minutes a game.
Last season for Sidwell, Hart averaged 20 points, 11 boards, three assists and close to two steals.
"At the end of the day, Villanova just gave me a plan that was kind of too good to pass up, in how they were going to help me develop and be successful in life," Hart said.
Over the past year or so, he has developed a relationship with Jenkins, which didn't hurt.
"We hung out at [summer] camp, became cool," Hart said. "After that, we stayed in touch. Every since he made his decision, we've been talking, like, every other day. He actually just texted me. So I have a good feeling about going up there with him."
When the Wildcats went to the Final Four in 2009, Washington natives Dante Cunningham and Dwayne Anderson were seniors.
"I got to know Dwayne's little brother a little," Hart said. "It was good. That's definitely something to look at, knowing that people from around here paved the way. I want to keep that going, for others that come after me."
He said that what happened last season wasn't really a factor.
"That's just part of basketball," Hart said. "You're going to have your highs and lows. They have a lot of tradition. I know they're going to be good [again]. I want to be part of turning it back around."
Contact Mike Kern at kernm@phillynews.com
