Rebels D1 Men Boost Squad with Major Signing of Joe Hart
Essex Rebels are excited to announce the signing of BBL-veteran forward Joe Hart, bringing extensive experience to the team and providing a significant boost ahead of the Season Opener this Saturday.
At 6-foot-5, Hart is an Essex native hailing from Southend-On-Sea. His basketball journey has included impressive stints with Plymouth City Patriots and Newcastle Eagles, where he made a name for himself as a sharpshooter and defensive asset. Over the past three seasons with Plymouth, Hart became a fan favourite, averaging 5.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game last season, all while making a remarkable comeback from an ACL injury.
In addition to his strong BBL career, Hart has played abroad in Germany and Italy, and he previously enjoyed a successful run with Newcastle Eagles, where he won the BBL Trophy in the 2016-17 season. Last year, he also became the fourth player in Patriots history to reach 500 career points.
Hart’s defensive prowess stands out as one of his biggest strengths. Standing at 6-foot-5, he has proven his ability to guard multiple positions and is often tasked with defending the opposition’s key players. His experience in the LEB Gold and Silver leagues in Spain has further sharpened his skills, making him a versatile asset for the Rebels.
Reflecting on his new chapter with the Rebels, Joe Hart stated:
“Been a long time coming! I have a really good relationship with Ross, so happy that we could finally make something happen! Being from Southend it’s really cool to be able to play and represent my home county.”
Essex Rebels Head Coach Ross Norfolk shared his enthusiasm about the signing:
“We are excited to have Joe part of our programme. His experience of playing professional for the last decade will be valuable for our squad. We will be utilising Joe’s play making skills whilst also depending on his sound defensive abilities. We can’t wait to see Joe playing back in his home roots of Essex!”
Joe Hart’s signing comes as the Rebels aim to build on their impressive performance from last season where they finished joint top in NBL Division 1, narrowly missing out on the Division title to Derby Trailblazers on point difference.
Rebels kick off their 2024-25 season with an exciting basketball doubleheader on Saturday 5th October at the Essex Sport Arena. The women’s team will face local rivals Ipswich in the SLBW Trophy, while the men’s team takes on the Milton Keynes Breakers in their first NBL Division 1 game.
Tickets for the Season Opener are now on sale. Secure your seats now!
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