Montgomery County native Josh Hart is an NBA champion.
The New York Knicks completed their championship run on Saturday night, defeating the San Antonio Spurs to capture the NBA title in five games. Hart played a major role in the clinching victory, recording 13 points and 11 rebounds while logging 39 minutes, second only to teammate Jalen Brunson’s 41 minutes.
The championship marks the pinnacle of Hart’s basketball journey, which began in Montgomery County. Before transferring to Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C., Hart attended Wheaton High School, where he quickly emerged as one of the area’s top young players. He earned a spot on the varsity team as a freshman and became a starter during the second half of that season.
Hart also spent his youth playing for the Montgomery County Bearcats, where coaches recognized the toughness, determination, and competitive spirit that would later define his NBA career.
The 2025-26 season was another productive one for Hart. He averaged 12.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game while starting 52 of the 66 games in which he appeared. Known throughout the league for his versatility and relentless effort, Hart has become one of the NBA’s most respected role players, capable of impacting games in nearly every facet despite standing just 6-foot-4.
Even after leaving Montgomery County for the next stages of his basketball career, Hart maintained strong local ties. His mother has been a longtime employee at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, and his father worked as a caterer before retiring.
Following a standout collegiate career at Villanova, Hart was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft. He later played for the New Orleans Pelicans and Portland Trail Blazers before finding a home in New York.
In 2023, Hart signed a four-year, $81 million contract extension with the Knicks, cementing his place as one of the franchise’s core players.
Now, after helping lead New York to an Eastern Conference championship and ultimately an NBA title, Hart has added the sport’s ultimate achievement to a career that began on basketball courts throughout Montgomery County.
For local basketball fans, it is a championship moment made even more special by the fact that one of Montgomery County’s own helped bring the trophy home.
