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For the third straight year, Mississippi State's Josh Hubbard has secured a place on the Bob Cousy Award Preseason Watch List, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame revealed Monday. The honor places Hubbard among the nation's top 20 point guards heading into the 2026-27 college basketball season.
The recognition adds to a growing preseason resume for the Bulldogs' senior guard, who has already been voted to the preseason All-SEC First Team by the conference's media. Hubbard enters his final collegiate campaign as one of the most prolific scorers in Mississippi State history.
Prestigious Company
Named after Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Bob Cousy, the award is presented annually to the top point guard in NCAA Division I men's basketball. Cousy, a former Boston Celtics and Holy Cross star, set the standard for the position during his Hall of Fame career.
Hubbard's third consecutive appearance on the watch list underscores his sustained production and vital role in the Bulldogs' backcourt. Mississippi State has now had a player recognized on one of the Naismith Starting Five Award watch lists eight times, including in each of the past four seasons.
The selection process will trim the field from 20 players to 10 in late January, then to five finalists in late February. Those finalists will be presented to Cousy and the award's selection committees in March, with the winner announced during the 2027 NCAA Final Four in Detroit.
Climbing the Record Books
Hubbard's latest honor follows another standout season in which he solidified his status as one of the SEC's premier offensive players. He enters the 2026-27 campaign with 1,947 career points, fourth on Mississippi State's all-time scoring list and 34th in SEC history. His total also ranks fourth among SEC players through the end of their junior seasons.
Hubbard already holds the Mississippi State program record for career three-pointers with 311, a mark that is tied for ninth on the SEC's all-time list. Over 101 career games, he has amassed 1,947 points, 283 assists, 228 rebounds and 94 steals. He has also made 82 consecutive starts, a testament to his consistency and durability.
His recent accolades include the 2025-26 Bailey Howell Trophy, All-SEC recognition from both the media and coaches, and the Coach John R. Wooden Citizenship Cup.
Looking Ahead
Hubbard now has a chance to build on his individual achievements while guiding Mississippi State through another promising season. The Bulldogs are set to open their 2026-27 campaign against Tennessee Tech on Monday, Nov. 2, at Humphrey Coliseum. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT, with the game streaming on SEC Network+ via the ESPN app.
With Hubbard returning as an established scorer and national award candidate, Mississippi State enters the season with one of the SEC's most experienced guards. His inclusion on the Bob Cousy Award watch list adds another milestone to a career that continues to ascend the Bulldogs' record books.