Maryland men’s basketball will reunite with a familiar face when the Terps match up against No. 21 Villanova on Nov. 17.
Former Maryland wing Hakim Hart transferred to Villanova in April following his breakout senior season. The Philadelphia native enrolled at Villanova as a graduate transfer to be closer to family. He played four seasons with the Terps from 2019-2023, three as a starter. Recruited by Mark Turgeon, Hart excelled as a playmaker and defender.
The 6-foot-8, 205-pound wing set career highs in several marks last season under Kevin Willard. Hart averaged 11.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 steals on 47.9 percent shooting and a team-high 32.8 minutes per game. He was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention selection for his efforts.
“If you look at the usage he had on the team, he was the second-highest usage player behind Jahmir [Young],” Willard said. “He’s not a flashy player. He’s not a guy that’s going to dunk on somebody, he’s not a 36 and 20 guy, but he’s a guy that consistently every night is a heck of a player, someone you can depend on and that’s what it was for me last year.”
Willard had high praise for Hart and is looking forward to catching up with him. However, he isn’t thrilled to have to compete against him.
“Wish I still had Hakim,” Willard said, “I’m happy for Hakim, happy he’s playing at home, great family. But I mean, Hakim is a very, very good player, so I’m not looking forward to playing Hakim.”
Hart committed to Maryland as part of the same recruiting class as forward Donta Scott. Both are natives of Philadelphia and grew up playing AAU basketball together.
The game at Villanova’s Finneran Pavilion marks the first time Scott will play in or near his hometown as a Terp. The matchup against the Wildcats provides lots of familiarity for Scott, but he’s focused on beating his former teammate after a rough weekend at the Asheville Championship.
“It’s going to be a different experience. I played Keem once. That was back in high school, but that’s always my brother,” Scott said. “But once we step between those lines, he becomes my enemy. Once we step off the court, that’s my brother.”
Hart is averaging 4.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists in three games for the Wildcats. Before transferring, he entered his name into the 2023 NBA Draft while maintaining his final year of college eligibility.
He chose Villanova over Kansas, Gonzaga and Miami. Hart was a projected starter for the Wildcats throughout the offseason but has assumed sixth-man duties for head coach Kyle Neptune’s squad.
Jahmir Young, Hart’s teammate for one season, says he’s also excited to see him. They maintain a close relationship, but Young is focused on getting a win. He also didn’t rule out any trash talk between the two.
“It’ll be good to see Keem. We’re good friends,” Young said. “We still talk often but really just he’s a talented guy, so just trying to make it tough for him. … He’s going to be excited, so we’re going to be excited as well. So it’s going to be a movie.”
Photo Credit: Villanova Athletics/Sideline Photos