Big East Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

By Joey Loose | Jul 4, 2023

Dec 13, 2016; Villanova, PA, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) gets congratulations from head coach Jay Wright and guard Jalen Brunson (1) after leaving the game late in the second half against the Temple Owls at The Pavilion. Villanova defeated Temple, 78-57. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

21 of 26

Big East Basketball Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Josh Hart

A fringe Top 100 prospect from the Class of 2013, Hart certainly proved that he belonged across an impressive college career. A 6’5 wing from Silver Spring, Maryland, he’d play his four-year career at Villanova and would turn into quite the star in the process.

Hart was actually used off the bench in his first two seasons but still put up solid numbers, averaging 10.1 points in his sophomore season with decent shooting numbers. During his junior season, he put up 15.5 points and 6.8 rebounds and would prove essential for the Wildcats. Villanova won the national title that season, with Hart scoring 23 points in their Final Four win over Oklahoma. He had all kinds of success in his senior season, including a 37-point outburst against Notre Dame, leading the Wildcats to another great season while now averaging 18.7 points a game.

The accolades are numerous: he was Big East Basketball Sixth Man of the Year and Tournament MVP as a sophomore, NCAA All-Tournament as a junior, and was a First Team All-American, Big East Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and winner of the Julius Erving Award as a senior. That’s all a mouthful but you get the idea of the things he added at Villanova on both sides of the ball. He led the Big East in scoring as a senior while also playing dominantly on the defensive end.

Home/Big East