The Plymouth City Patriots have retained the services of their 2021/22 starting guard, Joe Hart.
Joe Hart missed the entire 2022/23 season due to injury and surgery, which was a massive blow to the team early on and something they struggled to come to terms with. Hart made himself invaluable during the 2021/22 season, leading the team in minutes played and proving time and again to be a fantastic defender, he became synonymous with hitting big shots and simply performed like a true professional.
Hart has had an extensive professional career, as well making the Great Britain squad for the Under 20 B European Championships. He played two full seasons in Spain in the LEB Gold and Silver, before heading for the UK and making an impact on the 2017/18 Newcastle Eagles. After a short stint with the Glasgow Rocks, (now Caledonia Gladiators), Hart was Plymouth bound and in his first season for the club he averaged nearly 9 points per game. He was an integral part of the Patriots making the playoffs in their first season and was one of the teams first players on the original lineup. He was an unsung hero for the Patriots in the 2021/22 campaign and was certainly missed on the court last season.
In 2022/23 Hart dedicated his time to coaching the Marjon Bucs and National league squad as well as committing to the role of assistant coach, lending his expertise and experience to coach Paul James and the Patriots squad. “He was incredibly valuable to me and the squad in the bench last season, but we really missed Joe and everything he can do on the court,” said James, delighted to be retaining Hart. He continued, “Joe is consistent and we know what he can bring us. After last season he could well be like a coach on the floor for us, which will certainly be an asset. It’s going to be great to have him back on the floor.”
Pablo Cheeks