While it didn't happen right away, Carlos Hart seemed destined to become a Blazer. Hart, Blazer basketball's "stat sheet stuffing" senior guard was heavily recruited by Valdosta State coming out of junior college but decided at the last minute to take an offer from the University of New Orleans. After graduating from Miami's North Miami High School Hart signed with Benedict and played with the Tigers during the Covid shortened 2020-2021 season. He then spent two years at South Georgia College before making the decision to go to New Orleans. "I wanted to experience Division I and the city of New Orleans", Hart says. "New Orleans is an exciting city and I wanted to experience all that it had to offer". When asked if he took advantage of all the great restaurants that New Orleans offers Hart says that while he did to an extent the fact that he is not a big sea food fan limited his restaurant choices a bit. After UNO struggled through last year's season Carlos says he was ready for a change. "I wanted to accomplish something special basketball wise my senior year and I felt that Valdosta State is where I could do that. As soon as Coach Helfer reached out to me I told him I was coming to be a Blazer", Hart says.

Carlos has played a huge role in this year's Blazer success. He is ranked in the top seven in the Gulf South Conference in four statistical categories while being eighth in scoring at 17.9 points per game. Hart had a season high 29 points in VSU's December win over Lee. He has taken full advantage of the Blazer's press defense and is ranked fifth nationally in steals. He tied a VSU record with 16 made free throws in a game earlier this season and is seventh nationally in free throws attempted and eighth in free throws made. "Coach Helfer told me during our phone call that we were going to play fast and utilize the press and I was excited about that. That is the way we played at South Georgia so I knew what to expect coming in", Hart says. Team depth is vitally important when you play at the speed that this year's Blazer team plays at and Hart thinks that VSU's depth has been important for multiple reasons. "In addition to just being able to put a lot of talented players on the floor I think our depth has helped our team chemistry. When everyone knows they are going to play and have important minutes it keeps everyone engaged and accountable".

Carlos is half Brazilian and spent five years as a young boy in Brazil before moving to Miami. He will graduate this spring with a degree in organizational leadership and plans on working on a master's degree but only after seeing where basketball takes him. "I have an older brother who plays professionally in Finland and I would really like the opportunity to continue to play overseas", Hart explains.

Carlos says playing in front of enthusiastic crowds in the Complex is special. "We didn't have many fans at our home games at New Orleans so I really appreciate the great home atmosphere in the Complex". 

Hart says he thinks the Blazers have what it takes to make a strong post season run. "We have proven that we can play with the best teams in the country so let's reach for the stars".

The Blazers are 19-4 overall and 14-3 in the GSC and ranked sixth nationally. They will play Mississippi College tomorrow at 4 p.m. at The Complex for a chance to host the GSC Quarterfinals.