Josh Hubbard makes final decision on 2025 NBA Draft

Josh Hubbard is running it back.

The SEC’s second leading scorer announced that he has withdrawn from the 2025 NBA Draft and will return to Mississippi State for the 2025-26 season.

This is nothing but exciting,” Hubbard told the MSU team website. “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.

Hubbard tested the NBA Draft waters after a standout sophomore season in which he averaged 18.9 points per game and led the Bulldogs to their third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

I’ve learned there are levels to everything,” Hubbard said of his process. “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.

Hubbard has been an All-SEC selection as a freshman and a sophomore in his Bulldog career. There will be high expectations for his junior year as Chris Jans’s Bulldogs hope to build on a 21-13 season in 2024-25.

“Glad to be back.” – @jhubb_3 #HailStatehttps://t.co/mUhkSWsZdC

— Mississippi State Men's Basketball (@HailStateMBK) May 21, 2025

Andrew Olson

Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.