This story was updated to add new information.
Former NBA superstar Dwyane Wade sat courtside during Mississippi State basketball’s Friday night game at SMU. It’s because of Bulldogs star Josh Hubbard.
Wade and Hubbard are third cousins, Hubbard’s father, Jason, told the Clarion Ledger. Wade said in an Instagram story post that it was the first time he’s ever met Hubbard, let alone watch him play a game with Mississippi State.
Wade, a 13-time NBA all-star, retired in 2019 after winning three NBA championships with the Miami Heat.
Hubbard, a sophomore guard from Madison, was an All-SEC selection as a freshman last season and is the team’s leading scorer at 21.8 points per game entering Friday.
Mississippi State (5-0) defeated SMU 84-79 after trailing by 13 points in the first half. Hubbard scored 14 points on 4-of-18 shooting from the field and still hasn’t committed a turnover in 150 minutes this season.
After the win, Wade visited the Mississippi State locker room and met the team.
“We let him address the team and his mom was in there,” coach Chris Jans said in a postgame radio interview. “The guys got pictures, so I’m not sure if they’re more excited about the win than being able to have the chance to hang with D-Wade. It was a bonus.”
LeBron James is also a fan of Josh Hubbard
Hubbard also has a connection to NBA superstar LeBron James dating back to high school.
At the 2022 EYBL Nike Peach Jam, James watched Hubbard play a game and came away impressed. James and Wade were teammates with the Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers and won two NBA championships together.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
