Bulldogs veterans Josh Hubbard, Shawn Jones embrace leadership roles

Mississippi State’s 2025-26 roster will largely consist of new faces on the hardwood, whether it be from the transfer portal or the 2025 freshman class. But the Bulldogs do return a pair of valuable veterans in junior guard Josh Hubbard and senior wing Shawn Jones.

Both returnees have aided State’s success over the previous years and look to keep that trend going this upcoming season. Last week Hubbard and Jones met with the media to discuss the summer workouts and upcoming season:

Q: Practice just got started but what stands out to you so far about this new group?
Jones: They are all ready to buy in and come in ready to work. They are going to give it their all. That’s what I’ve seen the past two days that we’ve been at it.
Hubbard: Yeah, I’ve seen, like Shawn said, the buy in. They are ready, they are hungry and they want to do what it takes to win. We’ve been with (Chris) Jans ever since we’ve got here. So they ask us questions and ask us what it is like. They’ve been eager to listen and that is the most important and best thing I’ve seen so far.

Q: Chris Jans talked about you being his first four-year player at Mississippi State. Talk about that loyalty and still being here.
Jones: It means a lot. He gave me the opportunity to come in out of high school when nobody would give me an opportunity. I took advantage of it and showed my loyalty to him by staying here and grinding out with him. He put me in the best position and I wouldn’t want to be any other place than with Coach Jans.

Q: What did you learn about going through the NBA Draft process?
Hubbard: I learned a lot. I learned a lot on my game and what I can improve on. Obviously, I want to be the best player I can be. So I just want to bring those things back as an individual and to the team, as well. I am not satisfied. We have a lot more in store for this program. I am just excited to be back.

Q: With Cam Matthews gone, how do you guys plan to embrace the leadership part?
Jones: Me and Hubb sticking together, we learned from Mook (Matthews) and Tolu (Smith) and all the older guys that have left us. Now we know that is the first step we have to fill. I feel like me and him talking daily, just having conversations about what can make us better and make the team better and what can make us the best leaders that we can be.
Hubbard: Definitely and just piggy-backing off of him. Like I said, the experience we’ve had in the SEC and with Coach Jans, I think that is what is going to help us as a team to take that next step. We know the seasons we’ve been through and we know what it takes to take that leap.

Q: How different of a center is freshman Tee Bartlett?
Hubbard: He is a big guy, for sure. You can’t teach his height and his size. We are excited to have him and we’re excited for the impact he can make as a freshman. Obviously, he is a huge guy so we are blessed to have him. We want the best for him. If he puts the work in he can be a scary guy.

Q: For both of you, what does this team need to get better at this summer?
Jones: Just upping the whole program. Taking everything to another level. Offense, defense, is going to be my main focus and knocking down wide-open shots. Being more aggressive on the offensive end and just making sure my teammates have the same aggression and that we are one of the best defensive-playing teams in the nation.
Hubbard: Just striving to get 1 percent better each day. One thing we work on each day is just being more vocal, showing those leadership skills. Those are the main two things this summer to get better at.

Q: Josh, I know you had a relationship with freshman Jamarion Davis-Fleming before he got to Mississippi State. What do you think his potential is?
Hubbard: Yeah, super excited for JMar (Davis-Fleming). He’s been in my showcase the past two years. So to see his growth from when he was real little to him in college, it is crazy. Full circle, for sure. Seeing him in his first workout yesterday was a blessing. I know his parents, know his family. I am super excited for him and he deserves everything. He still has more work like we all do but I am super excited and I wish him the best, for sure.