Who Are Josh Hart’s Parents? Everything You Need To Know About the New York Knicks Star’s Family and Background

“There are times when I can be serious, but I’m definitely a goofy kid,” Josh Hart once said, reflecting his lighthearted nature despite his intense basketball focus. This quote perfectly captures the balance Josh maintains between his fierce determination on the court and his playful, fun-loving side off it.

Growing up, Josh’s family knew this well. Behind his journey to success is a family that supported him through every goofy moment and every serious challenge, pushing him to be the best version of himself. So come, let’s take a look at the people behind his success.

Who are Josh Hart’s parents? What is their nationality?

The New York Knicks star grew up in Maryland in a household that blended two very different worlds. His dad, Moses Hart, is African-American. His mom, Pat Hart, is white and of Caucasian descent. Both are American, and both raised him with the kind of steady love that doesn’t make headlines but changes everything. You can picture it—dinner table debates, cultural differences, maybe some awkward conversations, but always, a home filled with care.

Being biracial in America isn’t simple. Josh had to navigate what it meant to belong to both sides—sometimes feeling like neither, sometimes feeling like both. But that mix? It gave him perspective. It taught him to listen more, to fight harder, and to find his own voice. It’s the kind of background that shows up in how he plays—tough, unshaken, aware. His game has heart, and it’s no coincidence his last name is Hart. He learned early how to carry more than just the ball. Ok, so with that, let’s take a detailed look at his parents.

Who is Josh Hart’s father, Moses?

Moses Hart was the fire under his feet. A chef at a catering company, he worked long hours near Washington D.C., then drove his son to outdoor courts lit only by the car’s high beams.

After one bad rec league loss, his son said, “It’s OK, Dad, the game was over, we lost anyway, I’m not going to worry.” That flipped a switch. He pulled into a nearby school lot, headlights blazing on the rim, and made Josh run drills until midnight. That was the night Josh learned: never give up, not even when you’re losing.

Now see, there’s no bad picture here. Moses wasn’t cruel; he was constant. The philosophy of never settling ran deep in the Hart household. When Josh considered quitting his pursuit of the Eagle Scout badge, his father stepped in again. “Don’t settle, son,” he told him. Josh finished the badge just before turning 18. When he struggled at Sidwell Friends School, overwhelmed and ready to transfer, Moses made his stance clear: “Do it the right way or don’t do it at all.” Josh stayed. He studied harder. He learned how to fight through it, just like his dad always preached.

He never wanted to give long speeches. He gave Josh the tools, discipline, resilience, and a full-court work ethic. They practiced in the rain. They practiced in the snow. They practiced with Moses pointing the headlights toward the rim and watching his son push past every excuse.

Then we have an incident with the fire. A short circuit destroyed their family home. Their dog died. There was no insurance. But guess what? Josh was on a Boy Scout camping trip and returned to find his world turned upside down. But Moses didn’t flinch. The family moved into a tiny apartment, shared bedrooms, and rebuilt from ashes. “You pick up and push forward,” Josh said.

That mindset was pure Moses Hart. So, this says that Moses didn’t just shape a basketball player. He was building a man. But, along with him, there was a woman too. His wife Pat!

Who is Josh Hart’s mother, Pat?

Josh’s mother, Pat Hart, was a lady who never made excuses; it was just sacrifices. Back when her son was still finding his rhythm on the court, she was grinding through late-night shifts at a country club, often doubling up as a waitress just to keep things running at home. Her knee ached badly, needed surgery for years, but she pushed through the pain. Insurance paperwork dragged on, but that didn’t stop her from showing up. The family needed food, rent, and support, and she delivered all of it, quietly, every day.

She once played basketball herself at the Air Force Academy, and though life pulled her away from the game, her love for it never faded. Maybe that’s why she recognized early that Josh had something special. Not just talent, but drive. And she made sure nothing got in the way of that.

She didn’t want anything in return, either. “We never expected Josh to take care of us,” she’d say. It wasn’t about the NBA, fame, or the money. It was about watching her son chase something real, something he loved.

Even now, they laugh about following him wherever his career takes him. The plan was a tiny cottage nearby, maybe babysit his Rottweiler while he’s on the road. It’s sweet, but it’s also very them—tight-knit, self-reliant, still rolling as a unit.

It’s easy to cheer for Josh Hart when you know where he comes from. Pat didn’t just raise a pro athlete. She raised someone who knows what it means to grind. And honestly, that makes watching him play feel different. You see the hustle, and you know—his mom’s spirit is all over it.