The Texas State Board of Education voted 9-5-1 on Friday to add Bible passages to its public school required reading list, drawing an enthusiastic response from New York Knicks star and newly crowned NBA champion Josh Hart. The board's measure assigns the Book of Exodus to fifth graders and "The Shepherd's Psalm" to seventh graders. Hart, 31, who has spoken openly about his faith throughout his nine-year career, posted a line from scripture on X alongside three fire emojis to mark the outcome.
What the Texas Board of Education Voted On
Required reading lists are exactly what they sound like: curriculum mandates that direct public school teachers to assign specific texts. They carry legal weight, meaning districts must incorporate the material rather than treat it as optional enrichment. The Texas State Board of Education's 9-5-1 vote on Friday adds two biblical selections to that mandatory tier for elementary and middle school students statewide.
Republican board member Julie Pickren framed the decision in historical and philosophical terms, saying the readings are meant to provide important insight into the moral and philosophical traditions that have shaped Western civilization. She also argued that a classical approach to education — one that centers primary historical documents — plays a vital role in developing critical thinking. In Pickren's view, direct engagement with original writings, speeches, sermons, and foundational texts helps students evaluate ideas and deepen their understanding of the principles that have shaped the United States and Texas.
How Josh Hart Responded
Hart, who just completed a standout postseason run with the New York Knicks, took to X after the vote with the phrase "Whoever has ears let them hear," accompanied by three fire emojis. The post is a recognizable biblical expression, consistent with the way Hart has spoken about his faith in postgame interviews and on social media across his career.
Hart's presence in the public conversation carries some weight right now. In the Knicks' 19 playoff games, he averaged 10.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.7 steals per game — numbers that cemented his reputation as a two-way contributor who does the difficult, unheralded work. The team repeatedly overcame large fourth-quarter deficits on its way to the championship, and Hart was a consistent presence throughout that run.
Why This Matters Beyond the Box Score
An athlete's social media post about a state education board vote would ordinarily draw modest attention. The combination here — a fresh NBA champion, a vocal faith, and a curriculum decision that is already drawing debate — gave Hart's brief message unusual reach. The Texas board's vote is the kind of policy development that tends to generate legal challenges, and it places the state at the center of a broader national argument about the role of religious texts in public education. Whether that argument intensifies or settles quickly, the board's 9-5-1 margin and Hart's reaction now form part of the public record of how it landed.