Honoring a hometown hero
Canton residents and basketball fans will gather on August 8 to witness the renaming of a local court in tribute to Phil Hubbard, a native son whose name has become synonymous with Ohio basketball excellence.
The ceremony will take place at Preston Young Sr. Mini Park, the same venue where Hubbard once played pickup games as a youth, and will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., featuring speeches, memorabilia displays and a celebration of the city’s basketball heritage.
Hubbard’s journey from high school stardom in Canton to the national stage includes a gold‑medal performance with the 1976 U.S. Olympic team, a standout freshman season that helped Michigan reach the NCAA championship game, and a first‑round selection by the Detroit Pistons in 1979.
Over a decade in the NBA, he contributed to the Pistons’ rise and later starred for the Cleveland Cavaliers before transitioning to coaching, serving as an assistant with the Washington Wizards and heading the Los Angeles D‑Fenders, while also giving back through the annual Warren “Speedy” Pyles food giveaway organized by his Canton Outside of Canton alumni group.
The festivities will conclude with an after‑party at Celebrationz Lounge at 8 p.m., giving attendees a chance to mingle and reflect on the lasting impact of a player who helped put Canton on the basketball map.