Hoops Habit
Fansided

Houston Rockets: 5 options for pick No. 43 in 2017 NBA Draft

By Brian Sampson

Mar 25, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason III (0) drives around Oregon Ducks guard Tyler Dorsey (5) during the first half in the finals of the Midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason III (0) drives around Oregon Ducks guard Tyler Dorsey (5) during the first half in the finals of the Midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
2017 NCAA Tournament: 5 Players To Watch For In East Region
Mar 11, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) watches his shot during the first half of the Big East Conference Tournament final game against the Creighton Bluejays at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Josh Hart, SG, Villanova

Josh Hart is another four-year collegiate player. He won the Big East Player of the Year award last season by averaging 18.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.

The rebounding numbers aren’t a fluke either, as he averaged 6.8 boards per game the year before. It’s also what sticks out the most about his game, especially for a 6’5″ guard.

More from Houston Rockets

Hart has a more well-rounded game than some other players in the second round but doesn’t have nearly the same ball-handling abilities. His moves are very predictable and easily defended as he lacks elite quickness and burst.

That average athleticism also translates to him not being able to create enough space to get his shot off. Hart will really rely on his teammates for open shots at the NBA level, which is okay as long as he is able to translate his ugly shot into results like he did at Villanova. Hart shot 38.9 percent from the three-point line from his career, including 40.4 percent last season.

Hart is also an intelligent player and will do all the small things that win basketball games. This is invaluable, especially for a second round pick.

Hart was a main cog in Villanova’s championship run in 2016. They looked poised for a repeat until they ran into my Wisconsin Badgers in the tournament, as they were a 1-seed this year.

In the end, it will be Hart’s shooting motion that will determine his fate in the NBA. The Ringer describes his shot as “looks like he’s heaving a medicine ball and shoots on the way down.” If Hart can correct that, he will be a great complement to the Houston Rockets.

Home/Houston Rockets