Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton is impressed with what he’s seeing from rookie Josh Hart. For Walton, Hart’s speedy adjustment to life in the pros has a lot to do with the player’s vast college experience.

Via Corey Hansford of Lakersnation.com.

“He [Hart] seems not to be afraid of anything and I think that’s because he played in huge games,” Luke Walton said after shootaround on Wednesday. “He won a national championship, played in front of 80,000 people. He’s been great for us lately.”

Hart was taken by the Lakers 30th overall in this year’s NBA Draft after playing four years of college basketball under the tutelage of Villanova Wildcats head coach, Jay Wright.

Article Continues Below
More NBA News
Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Ace Bailey (4) looks to pass during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Jersey Mike's Arena.
Paul George gives Ace Bailey advice on NBA Draft stock dropBenedetto Vitale ·
Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell (45) dribbles in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena.
Heat makes Davion Mitchell contract move ahead of free agencyZachary Weinberger ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) moves to the basket against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) and guard Mike Conley (10) during the second half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
Lakers’ LeBron James hilariously recalls ‘most egregious’ travel of his careerJackson Stone ·
Charlotte Hornets color commentator Dell Curry before the game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.
Exclusive: Dell Curry reveals what’s ‘tough’ about Hornets’ draft decisionDJ Siddiqi ·
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) watches Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shoot free throws in the second half of game seven of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
Nuggets’ nightmare scenario that would lead to unthinkable Nikola Jokic tradeZachary Howell ·
New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) passes the ball against Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole (13) during the second half at Smoothie King Center.
Pelicans, Wizards trade grades for Jordan Poole-CJ McCollum swapZachary Howell ·

At Villanova, Hart was able to play in several huge games with the Wildcats. From Hart’s first year with the program in 2013 until his last, the Wildcats were title contenders, continually ranking in the top 10 of the Associated Press Poll, even winning it all in the Big Dance in 2016, thanks of course to the now legendary Kris Jenkins’ buzzer-beating three-pointer in the National Championship Game. Apart from being a national champion, Hart also won a Big East Player of Year Award.

With Lonzo Ball out with a shoulder injury at least this week, Hart could get a nice bump in minutes from Walton. Hart has averaged 8.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.2 steals on 27.3 minutes in the Lakers’ past five games.

The extensive college experience seems to be paying off for Hart in the pros, since playing under the bright lights and in front of massive crowds at Staples Center aren’t exactly a new experience for the 6-foot-5 shooting guard. Hart had seen it all in college.