October 26, 2026 | Men's Basketball
by Matt Dunaway, Director/Communications
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SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts โ Mississippi State's Josh Hubbard tucked away a spot on the prestigious Bob Cousy Award Preseason Watch List for the third straight season announced Monday by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
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The annual Bob Cousy Award, named after the Class of 1971 Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic and Holy Cross guard, celebrates its 24th season by highlighting the top point guard in Division I men's college basketball.ย
The Naismith Starting Five Awards are named after Cousy [point guard], Jerry West [shooting guard], Julius Erving [small forward], Karl Malone [power forward] and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar [center].
As a program, the Bulldogs have had a player listed for one of the Naismith Starting Five Awards on eight occasions highlighted by each of the last four seasons.
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Before Hubbard, Tolu Smith III now playing for the NBA's Detroit Pistons, was listed on the 2023-24 Malone Award preseason list.
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Reggie Perry was tabbed a top 5 finalist for the 2019-20 Malone Award whereas Quinndary Weatherspoon was selected among 10 finalists for the 2018-19 West Award.
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On this year's Cousy list, Hubbard is among eight SEC players joined by Jason Crowe Jr. (Missouri), Donovan Dent (LSU), Boogie Fland (Florida) Aden Holloway (Alabama), Tahaad Pettiford (Auburn), Jordan Smith Jr. (Arkansas) and Tyler Tanner (Vanderbilt). Previous winners from the SEC of the Cousy Award are Tyler Ulis (Kentucky) in 2015-16 and Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas) in 2025-26.
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In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2026-27 Cousy Award will be narrowed to 10. Then in late February, to just 5. In March, the five finalists will be presented to Cousy, and the Hall of Fame's selection committees, where winners will be selected. The award winner and presentation details will be revealed at the 2027 NCAA Final Four in Detroit.
The selection committees for the Cousy Award are composed of top men's college basketball personnel which includes media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers.ย
ย
In seven days, the Bulldogs are slated to face Tennessee Tech on Monday, November 2 for the 2026-27 season opener at Humphrey Coliseum. Tip time is slated for 6:30 p.m. CT, and the game will be streamed by SEC Network+ via the ESPN app. ย
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Hubbard, already chosen as a preseason All-SEC First-Team pick by the league's media, is attempting to become the 9th player in SEC history and the first since Florida's Udonis Haslem to capture All-SEC First, Second or Third Team accolades in four consecutive seasons.
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Hubbard was State's first player to amass at least 700 points and 100 assists in 2025-26. Heย is 1 of 2 SEC players and 1 of 12 major conference players (ACC, BIG EAST, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC) with multiple seasons of 640+ points and 100+ assists during the 2000s.ย
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Hubbard enters 2026-27 campaign with 1947 career points which ranks 4th on State's all-time list, ranks 4th for SEC players after their junior season and ranks 34th overall in SEC history.ย He has already shattered State's program mark by knocking down 311 career three-pointers.ย The 311ย treysย alsoย are tied for 9th on the SEC's all-time list.ย ย ย ย
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Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the State's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on their official social media accounts by searching 'HailStateMBK' on Facebook, X and Instagram.
ย
SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts โ Mississippi State's Josh Hubbard tucked away a spot on the prestigious Bob Cousy Award Preseason Watch List for the third straight season announced Monday by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
ย
The annual Bob Cousy Award, named after the Class of 1971 Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic and Holy Cross guard, celebrates its 24th season by highlighting the top point guard in Division I men's college basketball.ย
The Naismith Starting Five Awards are named after Cousy [point guard], Jerry West [shooting guard], Julius Erving [small forward], Karl Malone [power forward] and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar [center].
As a program, the Bulldogs have had a player listed for one of the Naismith Starting Five Awards on eight occasions highlighted by each of the last four seasons.
ย
Before Hubbard, Tolu Smith III now playing for the NBA's Detroit Pistons, was listed on the 2023-24 Malone Award preseason list.
ย
Reggie Perry was tabbed a top 5 finalist for the 2019-20 Malone Award whereas Quinndary Weatherspoon was selected among 10 finalists for the 2018-19 West Award.
ย
On this year's Cousy list, Hubbard is among eight SEC players joined by Jason Crowe Jr. (Missouri), Donovan Dent (LSU), Boogie Fland (Florida) Aden Holloway (Alabama), Tahaad Pettiford (Auburn), Jordan Smith Jr. (Arkansas) and Tyler Tanner (Vanderbilt). Previous winners from the SEC of the Cousy Award are Tyler Ulis (Kentucky) in 2015-16 and Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas) in 2025-26.
ย
In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2026-27 Cousy Award will be narrowed to 10. Then in late February, to just 5. In March, the five finalists will be presented to Cousy, and the Hall of Fame's selection committees, where winners will be selected. The award winner and presentation details will be revealed at the 2027 NCAA Final Four in Detroit.
The selection committees for the Cousy Award are composed of top men's college basketball personnel which includes media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers.ย
ย
In seven days, the Bulldogs are slated to face Tennessee Tech on Monday, November 2 for the 2026-27 season opener at Humphrey Coliseum. Tip time is slated for 6:30 p.m. CT, and the game will be streamed by SEC Network+ via the ESPN app. ย
ย
Hubbard, already chosen as a preseason All-SEC First-Team pick by the league's media, is attempting to become the 9th player in SEC history and the first since Florida's Udonis Haslem to capture All-SEC First, Second or Third Team accolades in four consecutive seasons.
ย
Hubbard was State's first player to amass at least 700 points and 100 assists in 2025-26. Heย is 1 of 2 SEC players and 1 of 12 major conference players (ACC, BIG EAST, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC) with multiple seasons of 640+ points and 100+ assists during the 2000s.ย
ย
Hubbard enters 2026-27 campaign with 1947 career points which ranks 4th on State's all-time list, ranks 4th for SEC players after their junior season and ranks 34th overall in SEC history.ย He has already shattered State's program mark by knocking down 311 career three-pointers.ย The 311ย treysย alsoย are tied for 9th on the SEC's all-time list.ย ย ย ย
ย
Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the State's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on their official social media accounts by searching 'HailStateMBK' on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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