Bailey Howell Trophy Finalists Announced

The Bailey Howell Finalists for the 2024-25 season have been announced to crown the best collegiate basketball player in the State of Mississippi. Howell played for Mississippi State from 1956-59 and was First Team All-American his senior season. He was later drafted number 2 overall by the Detroit Pistons, and had 12 year NBA career that included 6 all-star appearances and 2x NBA Champion. The first year of the trophy was the 2004-05 season.

This year’s finalists were selected by a panel of media members from across the state and represent the state’s best basketball talent from Mississippi’s four-year colleges and universities. The winners will be announced in a special ceremony Monday night at the Pearl River Resort.

The Finalists:

PG Josh Hubbard 5’11; 190 Mississippi State Madison, MS

Last year’s winner has a chance to win the Howell Trophy for back-to-back years for the first time since Mississippi State’s Quindarry Weatherspoon did it after the 2018-19 season. Hubbard had an impressive 2024-25 season with the Bulldogs. As a sophomore guard, he averaged 18.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. Hubbard was named to several prestigious watch lists, including the John R. Wooden Award.

Hubbard’s standout performances included scoring a career-high 38 points against No. 4 Alabama, the most by a Mississippi State player against a ranked opponent. He consistently ranked among the SEC leaders in various statistical categories, such as three-point field goals made, three-point field goal percentage, and free throw percentage

PG Sean Pedulla 6’1; 195 Ole Miss Edmond, OK

Pedulla was a key player for the Rebels, contributing significantly to their overall performance. He had several standout games, including a 27-point performance against South Alabama and a 29-point game against Auburn.

Pedulla’s consistent play and leadership on the court were instrumental in Ole Miss’s competitive season. His shooting percentages were impressive, with a 43.1% field goal percentage, 39.2% three-point percentage, and 80.8% free throw percentage

PG Daeshun Ruffin 5’9; 160 Jackson State Jackson, MS

As a junior guard, and Ole Miss transfer has found his footing since returning home to Jackson. Ruffin has averaged averaged 14.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. Ruffin’s shooting percentages were 36.8% from the field and 91.9% from the free-throw line. He had several standout performances, including a 37-point game against Bethune-Cookman and a 23-point game against Southern University