One of the top players in the state of Indiana in the class of 2023 resides just 40 miles from Bloomington, and he is someone folks based in Indiana and perhaps beyond will be hearing plenty more about over the next year.
6-foot-5 Linton-Stockton shooting guard Joey Hart is rapidly emerging as a prospect with high major interest, and that includes nearby Indiana.
Assistant coach Dane Fife has been in contact with Hart since mid-June, and as first reported by Rick Semmler of WTHI News 10, Hart is taking a visit to IU next week. The Daily Hoosier was able to confirm via a source close to Hart both that visit, and that Hart will be joined by his 2023 Grand Park Premiere AAU teammate Sam Orme, a Carmel High School product we profiled recently.
Hart averaged 14.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.8 blocked shots per game as a sophomore for Linton-Stockton. He flew under the radar a bit as an underclassman at the school because playing two years above him was its all-time leading scorer, Lincoln Hale. Hart is likely to create a buzz as one of the state’s top scorers and overall players in the junior class, and his profile, both in the recruiting rankings and in the eyes of college coaches, is likely to see a boost.
Two things stand out about his game when The Daily Hoosier saw Hart this summer at multiple events. One, he can be a prolific scorer, with a confident, accurate and quick release from behind the arc, especially on catch-and-shoot opportunities, and he couples that with an ability to get to the rim. The second thing that stands out about Hart is what he can do when he attacks the paint. His combination of scoring ability plus above average athleticism is no doubt what has put him on the radar of IU and several other Division One programs. Hart will need to show high major coaches that he has the handle and defensive ability to be a factor at that level of the game.
Thus far Hart has been offered by Northwestern from the high major ranks. Drake, New Orleans and Indiana State have also offered, and Purdue, Butler, Wichita State, Cincinnati, Xavier and many others are showing interest along with IU. He is not currently ranked by the national recruiting sites.
Hart is coached by his father at Linton-Stockton. Joe Hart, Sr. played Division One basketball for Coastal Carolina in the early 90s.
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