Sophomore guard Adou Thiero welcomes Joey Hart to Kentucky. (UK Athletics Photo)
Nate Pace is the sports editor of the Greene County Daily World in Linton, Ind., and says he has been a Kentucky fan since 1995 when he was 5 years old.
He covered the high school career of recent Kentucky signee Joey Hart, a 6-5 guard, in Linton, Ind., and says fans there are “excited” about having him joining coach John Calipari’s team.
Hart averaged 23.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game for Linton-Stockton High School and shot over 40 percent from 3-point range. His team went 29-2 and reached the Class 2A state championship game before losing last season.
Just from what I am hearing and seeing, Joey Hart sure looks like the old-school type of player that Kentucky fans or Indiana fans would love. Tell me a little bit about his character and off-court traits from your perspective.
“He plays hard for sure. He was sick during the semi-state games but still found a way to make key plays to get Linton to the state finals.
“It was a tough senior season for Hart and his family. While he did well on the court, his father, who is also his high school coach, was arrested twice during the season. Rival schools made memes and poked fun of Hart and his family. He kept it together and somehow kept his team going in the state tournament.
“He had good teammates that lifted him up emotionally during those months.
“One of the schools who hit the Hart family hard on social media was a team he wanted to dunk on. He ended up with a 360 slam to rout the rival.”
12 Responses
Welcome aboard Son… I’m looking forward to watching YOUR game… I remember when Kentucky had a few homegrown kid’s that knew what it meant to play Kentucky Basketball…
Most people don’t know the Kentucky invented the Run Out although it was nicknamed the Snowbird.
We’re talking Kyle Macey, Goose Givens and the pride of wearing that Blue Uniform…
Welcome aboard Son we’ve been waiting on you.😉
I think he might surprise a lot of folks
Wow I guess we’ll just run the 4 conner offense and go back to the Texas Western days.
I’m a UK grad and I am looking forward to watching Kentucky games. Looks like we have some very talented new blue bloods as well as some very talented upper classmen to guide them.
GO BIG BLUE!
Could really be a fun year Betty
I think the boys will be pretty darn good down the road. There is a lot of Talent on this team and they could be Special this year..Go big blue…….. Danny lee young here
Hart is from Sullivan County , Indiana. And was a Indiana All – Star. Kyle Macy won a Championship at Kentucky in 1978. He is from Peru , Indiana . James Blackmon was a Indiana All- Star in 1983. He played in the Final 4 at Kentucky. Lastly Trey Lyles is from Indianapolis , Indiana He was a Indiana All Star in 2014. He played on Kentucky’s 2015 Final 4 team. My point is this . When Kentucky has Indiana high school talent on their team they are very tough to beat. Oh and Joey Hart’s Dad played for Coastal Carolina in 1993 against Michigan and the Fav 5.
Hart is from Greene County. Coach Joey played at Union-Dugger which is in Sullivan County.
Appreciate the clarification Greene County Guy
Thanks Travis. HOpe that "coincidence" continues
Linton is in Greene Co Indiana
Luv stepping across the river and landing true hard nose kids that can play and make an impact that maybe bloomington indiana forgot or maybe feels dosent fit their criteria?? Welcome aboard son. We are honored to have you in blue.