Madison-Ridgeland Academy has announced it will retire the number of alumnus and current Mississippi State basketball star Josh Hubbard, making him the first basketball player at the school to receive the honor.
Hubbard donned No. 12 during his five years as a varsity starter for MRA, where he single-handedly rewrote the basketball record book at the private school. Hubbard finished his career in the red and blue as the all-time leading scorer in Mississippi high school basketball history – accumulating 4,367 career points.
“That record places him among the most prolific scorers in the history of the sport,” MRA said in an announcement. “His ability to score at every level, his elite competitiveness, and his leadership helped make him one of the most dominant players in Mississippi basketball history.”
During his senior year with the Patriots, Hubbard averaged 27.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. He led MRA to a 34-8 record and a MAIS 6A State Championship. Additionally, Hubbard was named the 2023 Mississippi Gatorade Boys Basketball Player of the Year – the first time an MAIS player had earned the honor.
“Josh has always been much more than a great basketball player. We have had the privilege of watching him grow from a young Patriot into an outstanding young man and leader,” MRA head of school Termie Land said. “Retiring his jersey is a special moment for our school, and we couldn’t be more proud of Josh and the legacy he leaves at MRA.”
In his three seasons as a Mississippi State Bulldog, Hubbard has averaged 19.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, with his best season coming in 2025-26, when he averaged 22.1 points per game.
Hubbard has been an All-SEC selection in all of three of his seasons at Mississippi State. He’s also a three-time recipient of the Howell Trophy, given annually to the top college basketball player in Mississippi, and won the Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup in 2026, which recognized him among the nation’s elite college basketball players for his outstanding performance, integrity, teamwork, academic excellence, and servant leadership both on and off the court.
“Josh was a special player, but what I’ll remember most is the person he was. Getting to coach him, watch him grow, and see him accomplish things most players only dream about was a privilege,” former MRA head boys’ basketball coach Richard Duease said. “His jersey belongs in the rafters, but more importantly, Josh’s impact will always be a part of MRA basketball.”
MRA will officially retire No. 12 on Friday, Sept. 2 at halftime of the school’s football game against Hartfield.
“Retiring a jersey is one of the highest honors an athletic department can bestow, and Josh Hubbard is the perfect representation of what this recognition means,” MRA athletic director John Weaver said. “Josh was an exceptional basketball player, but what made him special was the way he represented MRA.”
“His work ethic, humility, competitiveness, and commitment to excellence made him a role model for every student-athlete who followed him,” Weaver continued. “The retirement of Josh Hubbard’s No. 12 jersey will serve as a lasting tribute to a true Patriot legend whose impact will forever be woven into the fabric of Madison-Ridgeland Academy Athletics.”
