Section 215
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Philadelphia Sports: Section 215 top 25 Philadelphia athletes revealed

By Chuck Booth

Jan 11, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell (1) celebrates with center Joel Embiid (21) after his game winning shot against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 98-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell (1) celebrates with center Joel Embiid (21) after his game winning shot against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 98-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 11, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) watches his shot during the first half of the Big East Conference Tournament final game against the Creighton Bluejays at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Number 23: Josh Hart – Gaurd, Villanova Wildcats

Josh Hart. Big East Player of the Year. First-Team All-American. Two-time Big East Tournament champion. NCAA Champion. Yet he’s just 23rd in the Philadelphia sports top 25 athletes list. It could be because he’s a college athlete, although that didn’t hurt Hasaan Reddick. Or maybe it’s the debate of Villanova being a “Philly” school. But either way, Hart is drastically underrated on this list.

He brought Philadelphia sport’s first NCAA championship since 1985, and the first non-Soul championship since the Phillies in 2008. Hart has been the main reason Villanova has succeeded for the past two seasons, this year even more than last. Hart is the underdog in a two-man battle with Kansas guard Frank Mason for the AP Player of the Year award. He’s been one of the nation’s top players, even with the numbers seeming somewhat underwhelming in comparison to other winners of the esteemed award.

But Hart’s importance to Villanova comes in all aspects of the game, none more than late in close matchups. Hart has consistently taken over games in the second half, showing his star-power on lesser talents when the games mean the most. If he leads Villanova to another deep tourney run, this positioning will sure to look foolish. Hart is a top 15-athlete in Philadelphia right now, and he’ll have to prove to doubters his talent. At least he made this list, but being behind the likes of some underperforming athletes should get Hart heated.