Joey Hart plans to bring winning mindset to Kentucky

Make that seven freshman additions for the Kentucky basketball program, this time with 2023 three-star guard Joey Hart putting pen to paper with the Wildcats on Saturday. The standout shooter out of Linton, IN chose to play for John Calipari in Lexington over opportunities at Indiana and Rutgers, among others.

At the end of the day, it was an easy choice for the 6-foot-5 shooting guard.

“All of them were really good choices in my eyes, but Kentucky was the right fit for me,” Hart told KSR. “I had an opportunity for playing time at all three, really, all saying I could come be a part of something special, that type of thing. Kentucky just stood out to me because of John Calipari and his ability to develop players.”

His decision to sign with Kentucky comes after backing off his pledge to Central Florida in May. Things ramped up from there, a process that played out quickly following his official visit to Lexington earlier this month.

“I’m not the type of guy to drag on the recruiting process,” he added. “It’s honestly really stressful and time-consuming.”

After hearing Calipari’s pitch, he knew Kentucky was the right fit. He grew up a fan of the Wildcats, watching how the program developed professional talent. When that opportunity came for himself, he knew it was one he had to take advantage of.

“Their proof of development. You see all of the guys in the NBA, not all of them came to Kentucky as pro-level players,” he told KSR. “They bring in a lot of high-profile guys, but they develop them too. And that really stood out to me because I want to be as good as I can be, develop as much as I can and become the best player I can be.”

Calipari and the Kentucky coaching staff compare Hart to former Wildcat standout Tyler Herro — another under-the-radar recruit who exploded to college and NBA stardom.

His goal is to follow in those same footsteps.

“I’ve been compared to Tyler Herro for a long time, before I was even being recruited by Kentucky,” Hart said. “I kind of knew that coming in, he was someone they would compare me to. I would love to be as good as Tyler Herro and be where he is, so that’s really a huge honor for me.”

Hart’s personal expectations? The three-star guard who averaged 23.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists per contest while shooting 41% from three as a senior just wants a chance to develop and compete.

If his number is called — No. 20, by the way — he plans to come in and knock down shots and impact winning however he can.

“We haven’t gone over where they see me fitting in, but I know what they want me to do. They want me to come in and knock down shots, that’s why they’re bringing me in,” Hart told KSR. “I think they’re on the same page as I am, they want me to be as good as I can be. I have to run my own race and do what’s best for me. If I want to be good, I’m going to be. I can only be as good as I want to be, especially going there.

“I just expect the chance to compete. I’m trying to find my place on the roster and win games, that’s the truth. That’s all I’m expecting.”

Emphasis on the winning part. Hart closed out his career at Linton-Stockton with 1,901 career points, 424 rebounds and 224 assists, wrapping up his senior campaign with a Class 2A state runner-up finish and a 29-2 overall record. Everywhere he’s gone, he’s won.

That was a big part of his decision to join the Wildcats. He wants to continue the program’s winning tradition alongside elite talent.

“I’ve never really lost much in my life, never had a losing season. I’m expecting to come in there and win,” he said. “If we don’t that would be pretty upsetting, so that’s going to put a chip on my shoulder. All of us have something that drives us, and they kind of have to being as talented as they all are, being in the position they are in. I haven’t gotten the chance to talk to many of the guys yet, but that’s what I’m expecting from them.”

Hart is intrigued with the idea of a freshman-filled roster, now seven in total. He joins DJ Wagner, Rob Dillingham, Justin Edwards, Aaron Bradshaw, Reed Sheppard and Jordan Burks in Lexington. A commitment and reclassification from 2024 four-star center Somto Cyril could give Kentucky eight newcomers.

He’s prepared for the pressure that comes with playing on a historically young — but talented — roster.

“I love how talented we are, you know? These are a bunch of high-profile guys,” Hart told KSR. “I’ve seen these guys all over the internet, I know they’re talented. I get to come in and compete for a spot against guys my age instead of 23-year-old transfers, and that was a big factor for me. I’m just trying to fit in with these guys and come together as a group to win.”

What does he hope to show Big Blue Nation?

“I’m just a competitor, really. What I do is I win,” Hart told KSR. “And I’m a shooter as far as playing style goes. I like to shoot, that’s what they’re bringing me to do. And I’m more athletic than most people think. A lot of people label me as a shooter and just assume I’m not a great athlete, but I’m much more athletic than people think.”