LAS VEGAS — Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo bring different things to the court, but their impact could end up being similar for the Knicks.
Hart was credited with the infusion of energy he provided the Knicks upon his trade-deadline acquisition in February.
The extra effort he brought with him off the bench led immediately to a nine-game winning streak.
Phil Booth expects DiVincenzo to have a comparable impact.
“Just how Josh was for the Knicks [last season], I think Donte is going to bring that same spark. I think he’ll fit right into what the Knicks want,” Booth, a former Villanova player told The Post in a phone interview.
“Bringing energy, playing defense, playing tough, he’ll fit what the Knicks want to do.
“His physicality, his energy, he plays hard. Tough player. Plays very good defense, can shoot the ball well, too. He can handle the ball as well. Has a good basketball IQ, good decision-maker. … They‘re a tough team, physical. Their coach likes to play defense and play hard, and Donte fits that role.”
Booth should know.
He spent five years at Villanova, playing with all three members of Knickanova — the term coined by Post columnist Mike Vaccaro — Hart, DiVincenzo and Jalen Brunson.
Now playing professionally in France, Booth has remained close with his former teammates and has watched their games from afar.
He was part of the Wildcats’ two national championship teams, in 2016 and 2018, and is thrilled to see Hart (who was not on the 2018 team), DiVincenzo and Brunson together again.
“I mean, crazy,” Booth said. “I thought it was cool when ‘J.B.’ got there, and then Josh comes over. Now it’s Donte. It all happened in a year. So it’s nice to see them [together], especially on a team like the Knicks. It’s as big as it gets. … Hopefully they get a few years to play together.”
Booth is certain the Knicks were smart to sign the 6-foot-4 DiVincenzo to a four-year, $50 million deal after he thrived last season with the Warriors — shooting a career-best 39.7 percent from 3-point range along with averaging 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals in 26.3 minutes per game.
But it’s not just his shotmaking, a Knicks need this offseason, that made this such a smart move in Booth’s eyes.
DiVincenzo, 26, has won everywhere he has played, from high school to college to the NBA.
He won two state titles in high school at the Salesianum School in Wilmington, Del., those two national championships at Villanova and an NBA crown with the Bucks.
He has a way of being at his best in big moments.
He was selected Most Outstanding Player for the 2018 NCAA Tournament and played his way into being a first-round draft pick, going 26th overall to the Bucks.
Hart became a Garden favorite because of his all-out hustle and selfless play, and Booth can envision DiVincenzio quickly following his lead.
“I think the crowd will love him,” Booth said.
In many ways, the two local NBA teams have become Villanova basketball infomercials.
Brunson emerged last year as an elite lead guard.
Hart helped the Knicks win their first playoff round in a decade.
Mikal Bridges was traded to the Nets in the Kevin Durant deal and is now the face of that franchise, along with Cam Johnson.
Now, DiVincenzo is joining the Wildcats’ New York City party.
After DiVincenzo signed, Hart tweeted at Bridges, “Yo @mikal_bridges hit my phone bro.” Bragging rights will be on the line in the four Knicks-Nets games, with Bridges now outnumbered three to one.
“I guess [Bridges is] lonely,” Booth joked. “Whenever the Nets and the Knicks play, I’m pretty sure he’ll be excited to play against his guys. … Now he gets [to face] all three of them.”
