Josh Hubbard, a former standout at Madison‑Ridgeland Academy, was recently named the MRA’s 2026 Distinguished Alumnus, the youngest recipient in the award’s history, and had his jersey retired after shattering a 37‑year‑old boys basketball scoring record with 4,367 points.
A Record‑Breaking Legacy
During his high school tenure from 2018 to 2023, Hubbard amassed 4,367 points, becoming the first player in the academy’s boys basketball history to have his number retired, a testament to his relentless scoring prowess.
At Mississippi State, the senior forward guided the Bulldogs to a 34‑8 season and captured the MAIS Class 6A state championship, earning Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year honors in 2023 and the Bailey Howell Award for three consecutive years, while also setting SEC records for consecutive games with a three‑pointer.
Community Impact
Beyond the hardwood, Hubbard has devoted himself to giving back, running the Josh Hubbard Showcase camp that distributes more than $75,000 in scholarships each year, launching the ‘Buckets for Wishes’ campaign that has funded 12 children’s wishes and raised similar sums through three‑point donations, and delivering 100 holiday gifts to patients at Blair Batson’s Children’s Hospital, where he once received treatment for Kawasaki disease.
His community leadership was further recognized with the 2026 Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup, and former MRA coach Richard Duease, a member of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, praised Hubbard’s character and lasting impact that extends far beyond basketball.