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It’s extremely rare. That’s how NCAA officials phrased it when asked how many Division III athletes make the leap to Division I. It’s uncommon enough that they didn’t even have statistics on hand, to give a percentage. It takes a special talent to make that leap. And now you can add a Hampden-Sydney player to the list that includes former NBA stars like Devean George and Horace Jenkins. Davidson Hubbard and the school announced on Tuesday, July 30 that he’ll be committing to Baylor University as a graduate transfer.

Before the pandemic, college athletes had five years to finish four seasons of play. But because of all the cancellations COVID caused, the NCAA added an extra year of eligibility for student-athletes. Graduates like Hubbard, who earned his diploma at the end of the spring semester at Hampden-Sydney, can transfer to another team and suit up for one final season. 

“What an amazing opportunity for Hubb!” said Hampden-Sydney head coach Caleb Kimbrough. “Hubb has poured his heart into H-SC basketball and this community over the past four years, and we know he will do the same at Baylor. Thank you to Coach Drew and all the Baylor basketball family for giving him this opportunity … you are getting a great young man and basketball player!”

A year for the record books

The All-American and 2024 Hampden-Sydney graduate led the Tigers this year to a 31-3 record and a run that ended with the team as the NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship Runner-Up. This season put a spotlight on Hubbard in several ways, as the North Carolina native finished his Tigers’ career ranked 26th all-time in points. He also finished eighth all-time with 58 career blocks, pulled in 674 rebounds, delivered 98 career assists, 73 steals and 90 career three-pointers. Hubbard finished with a career field goal percentage of 50%, a career three-point percentage of 35% and a career free throw percentage of 75%.

Hitting these marks is an impressive feat on its own, but even moreso when you consider how much of the Charlotte, North Carolina native’s first season was cut short due to the pandemic. The Tigers only played six games total that season.  

And yet, none of this is a surprise for Kimbrough, who says Hubbard just puts in the work. 

“Hubb is a perfect example of someone who committed to the work and let the results take care of themselves,” Kimbrough said. 

Davidson Hubbard as a Tiger

After the season wrapped up, the awards just kept coming in,, bringing further attention his way. Hubbard was named to the 2023-24 National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-America Second Team, the D3hoops.com All-America Third Team, the NABC All-District 6 First Team, the D3hoops.com All-Region 6 First Team, as well as the All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) First Team. Beyond that line of honors, the voters all pointed to his consistency. 

At Hampden-Sydney, Davidson Hubbard started 33 of 34 games while averaging 14.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists. During his time as a Tiger, he shot 47% (203-433) from the field, 32% (48-151) on three-point field goals and 82% (54-66) at the free throw line. 

Davidson added 31 steals and 14 blocks, and was the team leader in points (508), scoring average, field goals, field goal attempts, rebounds (245), rebound average, offensive rebounds (68) and defensive rebounds (177). He posted career-highs of 31 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, four blocks, four three-pointers and 37 minutes, along with a season-high three steals. Hubbard had 27 double-figure scoring games, including one 30-point game among eight 20-point games, and led the team in scoring 13 times and in rebounding 21 times with five double-doubles and a team-best 19 dunks.

He also earned more recognition during the season. Next to winning a national title, the Clarence “Bevo” Francis Award is one of the biggest prizes in what’s called “small” college basketball. The prize is given out each year to the best player among NCAA Division II and Division III, the NAIA, USCAA and NCCAA. Hubbard made the award’s Top 100 Watch List, while also being named the 2023-24 Virginia Sports Information Director’s (VaSID) College Division Men’s Basketball Player of the Year . 

What happens next? 

So now, with one year of eligibility left as a graduate transfer, Hubbard will take his talents to Waco, Texas, where Baylor is located. The Bears finished 24-11 overall during 2023-24, including 11-7 in the Big 12, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Baylor is also familiar with making a run to the title, as the Bears won the 2021 NCAA National Championship.