Josh Hart named to NBC Sports’ preseason All-America team

Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart was tabbed as a First Team All-America selection by NBCSports.com earlier Tuesday.

Hart, who averaged 15.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in 2015-16, is expected to have an outstanding senior season at Villanova as the ‘Cats look to defend the national championship after a dramatic victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels this past April. Hart averaged 15.0 points per game during the Wildcats’ title run, including 23 in their romp over the Oklahoma Sooners in the Final Four.

Here’s what NBC had to say about the Villanova star:

Josh Hart, Villanova: Hart was the third player to get serious consideration for National Player of the Year. He’s the guy that is most likely to have a Buddy Hield-esque, breakout senior season. As a junior with the Wildcats, Hart averaged a team-high 15.5 points and 6.8 boards, playing an integral role in Villanova’s small-ball attack. His ability to attack the glass and playing bigger than his 6-foot-5 frame will be even more important for Jay Wright’s club this season as they deal with a lack of size on the interior, but the key for Hart’s long-term future will be his three-point shooting. He made 35.7 percent of his threes last season and 46.4 percent the season before, but that was on relatively limited attempts and his flat shot and awkward release makes it tough to project him as a floor-spacer at the next level. Did he put in the work this offseason to make a jump the way Hield did last season?

Alongside Hart on the team were Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz, Duke Blue Devils guard Grayson Allen, who was tabbed as their preseason Player of the Year, Kansas Jayhawks forward Josh Jackson and California Golden Bears center Ivan Rabb.