Name: Hakim Hart
Height/Weight: 6-foot-8, 208 pounds
Class: Senior
Stats: 9.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game
Production Heading Into 2022-23 Season
Hakim Hart’s game has expanded a great deal since he came to College as a freshman during the 2019-20 season. Maryland fans knew Hart was going to be a special talent for the program when he had that 32-point performance against St. Peters in his first collegiate start as a sophomore.
After starting 19 games as a sophomore, he became a full-time starter with 31 this past season. What makes Hart so special? He can shoot from anywhere on the floor, plays solid defense, sets the tempo for the team on the fast break, and he’s an efficient passer.
The Terps can rely on Hart to be a lockdown defender against their opponent’s best player. Why? He had three steals in at least five games last season. He took notes from former Maryland guards Darryl Morsell and Aaron Wiggins and positioned himself as a vocal leader as they were.
“He makes the right play. He guards with great understanding and doesn’t get rattled,” former interim head coach Danny Manning said about his defensive savvy.
Outlook for 2022-23 season
Hakim Hart has All-Big Ten potential this year and head coach Kevin Willard is going to look to him to be a leader on both ends of the floor. He steps back into the starting rotation at the three and log valuable minutes based on the production he has shown, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he becomes a top scoring option in Willard’s offense. Maryland will lean on Donta Scott, who can shoot inside and out, while Jahmir Young’s ability to create at the rim benefits him, but Hart has proven to be a capable inside-out scorer who does well absorbing contact at the rim.
With freshman Noah Batchelor providing some confidence with his perimeter shooting behind Hart, the veteran Terp could prove to be a complementary piece with any of the point guards that the Terps have on the roster.
Hakim Hart would have a successful season if…
He’s an integral part of Willard’s offense and continues to shine as a defender. With him playing at a high level this season, the Terps could make some noise in the Big Ten, and let’s not rule out an NCAA Tournament berth either.
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