Montgomery County native Josh Hart is finalizing a four-year, $81 million contract extension with the New York Knicks, ESPN reported on Wednesday. The 6’4 guard is considered one of the best rebounders at his position, averaging 7.8 boards per game last season. In 2021, Hart signed a $38 million deal with the Pelicans before being traded to Portland and then to the Knicks where he helped guide the team to the NBA Playoffs last season.
Josh Hart grew up in Silver Spring. Prior to transferring to Sidwell Friends in D.C., he attended and played basketball at Wheaton High School. He grew up playing basketball for the Montgomery County Bearcats, where his coaches praised him for his heart at an early age. He made the varsity basketball team as a freshman at Wheaton, eventually becoming a starter in the second half of the season. Even though he transferred to Sidwell Friends and played there the last three years of his high school basketball career, his ties to MoCo remained strong. His mother has been a long-time employee at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville and his father is a retired caterer.
Hart will be eligible to sign the deal on Thursday and will net a total of $94 million through the 2027-28 season. He is currently participating with Team USA as the team prepares for the FIBA World Cup.