STARKVILLE – 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.
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
