John Calipari welcomes Joey Hart to #LaFamilia

Joey Hart is signed, sealed and delivered, joining the Kentucky basketball roster for the upcoming 2023-24 season. The public commitment came as the three-star guard was moving into his dorm at the Wildcat Coal Lodge and meeting his teammates for the first time.

Standing 6-foot-5, 180 pounds, the Linton-Stockton (Indiana) High School product becomes the seventh freshman to join the Wildcats, joining Aaron Bradshaw, Jordan Burks, Rob Dillingham, Justin Edwards, Reed Sheppard and DJ Wagner.

His teammates were there to welcome him to Lexington during the move-in process.

What are the Wildcats getting in the Linton, IN native? Have Kentucky head coach John Calipari tell you himself.

“Joey can really shoot the basketball but also brings a tremendous all-around game to this class,” Calipari said of Hart. “His best days of basketball are ahead of him and I look forward to watching him develop alongside the rest of the class. I’m excited to get Joey on campus so he can continue to improve at this next level.”

The school announced his addition Saturday afternoon, making him one of nine scholarship players on the roster — the seven freshmen plus two sophomores in Adou Thiero and Ugonna Onyenso.

“I’m excited to get started at Kentucky,” Hart said in a statement. “I chose UK because of Coach Calipari, the supportive fan base and Kentucky’s ability to develop players. I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to compete and play in the NCAA Tournament.”

Hart averaged 23.6 points and shot better than 40% from 3-point range while helping Linton-Stockton High School to the Class 2A State Finals this past season. While playing on the Under Armour grassroots circuit last spring and summer, the three-star prospect shot 45% from deep, averaging 19.8 points per contest.