By Robert Wilson
It’s official.
Madison-Ridgeland Academy’s Josh Hubbard – Mississippi’s all-time leading scorer in boys basketball – is a Mississippi State Bulldog.
The 5-foot-11 Hubbard – ranked No. 73 in the country and No. 1 player in Mississippi in the Class of 2023 by ESPN – signed his national letter of intent with MSU Wednesday.
Hubbard – the Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year and two-time PriorityOne Bank/Mississippi Scoreboard Player of the Year – averaged 27.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.1 steals and led MRA to a 34-8 record, the MAIS Class 6A state championship and a semifinal finish in the Overall Tournament this season as a senior. He finished with 4,367 points, breaking a 37-year-old record held by Robert Woodard of Houlka, who also played at MSU. Hubbard – who has been starting since the eighth grade – became the leading scorer in MAIS history last season when he passed Ken Coghlan, who scored 3,168 points from 1977-1980 at East Rankin Academy.
“We’re grateful to welcome Josh Hubbard to the Bulldog family,” MSU first-year head coach Chris Jans said. “Josh is a high character young man coming from a special family and is one of the most decorated players in the history of Mississippi prep basketball. He is an explosive athlete with great shooting ability and most importantly, he is a winner. Coach Richard Duease and MRA have prepared Josh well for college and SEC basketball. We look forward to the immediate and positive impact Josh will have in our program.”
“It’s a stress reliever for sure with all that has happened and constant worries in my mind, but grateful for Mississippi State for giving me the opportunity,” Hubbard said.
Hubbard originally signed with Ole Miss in November during the early signing period, but he was given his release after the Rebels announced in late February coach Kermit Davis would not be coming back next season. Hubbard announced shortly after that he was opening back up his recruiting and didn’t rule out Ole Miss. Ole Miss released him from his national letter of intent so he could decide and sign with another school without having to sit out a year next season. He chose MSU over Ole Miss and Seton Hall last month. He chose Ole Miss over MSU, Seton Hall, Southern Cal, Houston, and Xavier last September before signing with the Rebels.
MSU had a successful season and made the NCAA Tournament before losing to Pittsburgh in a First Four game. MSU had a great defense but finished next to last in scoring and 3-pointers made and last in 3-point percentage in the SEC this season. Hubbard shot 50.1 percent from the field, 35.1 percent from 3-point range, and 85.5 percent from the free throw line this season. He made 117 3-pointers this season and has incredible range.
“I hate the news about Coach Davis and didn’t expect it, but my family and I decided to take a step back and regroup,” Hubbard said after announcing he had committed to MSU. “Mississippi State still gave me an opportunity and the relationship was still there. There is huge advantage to playing close to home where my family can watch and play for a school to represent my state.”
“I’m a Bulldog and I’m happy he is going to Mississippi State, but I just wanted him to stay in state and go to either Mississippi State, Ole Miss or Southern Miss,” said MRA coach Richard Duease, the second winningest active boys basketball coach in the country and the winningest basketball coach in Mississippi history. “State needs help shooting, and Josh is a great shooter. He will be a great fit for their program.”
