​A park in Canton will honor former NBA standout Phil Hubbard by renaming its basketball court after him. The ceremony is scheduled for August 8 during a “mini park reunion” at the Preston Young Sr. Mini Park, located in the 400 block of Henry Mack Way (Cornelia Avenue) NE.
Phil Hubbard, a Canton native and a product of McKinley High School, went on to star at the University of Michigan, where he became a standout forward standing 6-8. He earned Ohio Player of the Year honors in 1975 and played a pivotal role for the Wolverines as a freshman, helping lead them to the NCAA Championship game. Hubbard also secured a gold medal with Team USA at the 1976 Olympic Summer Games in Montreal, adding to a résumé that would leave a lasting imprint on both collegiate and international basketball.
While at Michigan, Hubbard received All-American recognition, and the university later retired his jersey in 2004 in honor of his outstanding contributions to the program. His NBA career began as a first-round pick for the Detroit Pistons in 1979. He spent the early part of his professional years with Detroit from 1979 to 1982, before moving on to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he played from 1982 to 1989.
Beyond his playing days, Hubbard remained active in basketball circles. He served as an assistant coach with the Washington Wizards from 2003 to 2009 and later took the helm as head coach of the Los Angeles D-Fenders from 2014 to 2015. His connection to Canton remains strong, as he is a member of Canton Outside of Canton, an organization composed of former Canton athletes who organize the annual Warren “Speedy” Pyles food giveaway.
Before his success with Team USA, Hubbard displayed his talents locally as a standout for the Canton McKinley Bulldogs, building a foundation that helped propel him to national prominence. The park renaming ceremony will be followed by an after-party at Celebrationz Lounge, located at 2820 Eighth St. NE, starting at 8 p.m. The day’s free reunion activities run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., offering attendees multiple opportunities to celebrate Hubbard’s enduring legacy in Canton and beyond.
This article originated on The Repository, highlighting the park’s renaming in honor of Canton’s Phil Hubbard as a tribute to his storied basketball career and his impact on the community.