‘Glad to be back’: Hubbard announces return
Star Bulldog set for junior year in Starkville
By: Joel Coleman, Senior Writer, MSU Athletics
May 21, 2025 – After sticking his toes in the NBA Draft waters for a few weeks, star Mississippi State guard Josh Hubbard has made it official: he’s heading back to Starkville.
Hubbard announced Wednesday he’s removing his name from the draft process and now has his sights fully set on a big junior year with the Bulldogs.
“This is nothing but exciting,” Hubbard said. “I was born and raised in Mississippi, so just to come back and wear the Maroon and White again means the world. I can’t explain enough how much Mississippi State means to me. I’m so excited and ready to get back to it already.”
As pumped up as Hubbard is to once again make Humphrey Coliseum rock, the MSU family might be even more thrilled. The last two years have seen Hubbard rise to become arguably the most recognizable student-athlete on campus.
He was an All-Southeastern Conference selection in each of the last two seasons as he led the Bulldogs to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, making it three straight big dances for State as the Dawgs also danced in the year prior to Hubbard’s arrival.
Hubbard has already racked up 1,240 points at MSU. Only three other players in SEC history have scored more points with their respective teams over the course of their freshman and sophomore seasons.
Along the way, the sensational shot maker has also put his name in rarified air within the program. Only Hubbard, Bailey Howell and Jamont Gordon have recorded consecutive seasons of 550 or more points while at State, while Hubbard’s 17.97 points per game average entering the 2025-26 season sits as the fifth-best mark in school history.
Also, Hubbard’s 216 career 3-pointers are tied for fifth-most at MSU, and his 86.6 percent shooting clip at the free-throw line is currently at the top of the record book for Bulldogs with at least 200 makes from the charity stripe.
After Wednesday’s announcement, Hubbard can’t wait to add to his legacy and keep bringing Bulldog fans to their feet.
“A lot of fans have been hitting me up and asking me what I was going to do,” Hubbard said. “I know they’re excited like me. To come back and keep getting that excitement and support from the fans – for the entire team – it’s definitely going to be great.”
When Hubbard steps back on the court at State, he’ll do so an even more polished, mature player than he’s been. The last few weeks, he’s learned a lot about himself and what he needs to do as continues to eye his professional dreams.
“I’ve learned there are levels to everything,” Hubbard said. “Obviously the NBA is every collegiate player’s goal, and it takes a lot of hard work to get there. Just to get the experience I had and go through that journey definitely built my game even more for college, so I’m just grateful for the opportunity I had to put my name in the draft and learn a little more about myself that I can bring back with me to Mississippi State and help myself grow.”
While it’ll be fantastic for State to once again benefit from Hubbard the player, it can’t be emphasized enough how blessed the Bulldogs will be to get back Hubbard the person.
Hubbard’s star shines just as much in the community and throughout the state of Mississippi as it does on the hardwood. In the continuously-changing landscape of college athletics, Hubbard has committed to using his name, image and likeness (NIL) resources to benefit others.
Maybe the most visible of those efforts has been The Josh Hubbard Showcase. Over the last two years, the basketball camp hosted by Hubbard in his hometown of Madison, Miss., has welcomed in around 200 aspiring athletes and awarded approximately $30,000 in scholarship money.
Hubbard has treasured the chance to use his platform to give back.
“I was always given opportunities growing up in this sport that I love,” Hubbard said. “In some way, I knew I always wanted to give back because of the opportunities I was given. Not a lot of kids where I come from have those opportunities. I just wanted to create a chance for others to get their names out there – whether that’s nationally or just inside the state of Mississippi. I just want to help them grow and get different connections to help with their careers and whatever it is they want to do.”
Who better to help prospective athletes than someone that’s been in their shoes? Hubbard is unquestionably a walking example for how young players can make dreams come true.
He’s still chasing a few of his own, but some of those can wait. For now, the next steps of Hubbard’s journey will continue to be in Stark Vegas.
“I just want the fans to know that we’re creating something special,” Hubbard said. “I’m glad to be back, so let’s all have another great, successful year.”
