By Matt Belinson
Written for the LSWA
From the moment Ahmad Hudson arrived at Ruston High School, a bright spotlight and lofty expectations have followed.
The son of former LSU basketball player and Grambling Lab legend Antonio Hudson, Ahmad’s athletic gifts have been the topic of conversation and anticipation for years, well before he stepped foot on Ruston’s campus.
The great ones don’t buckle under pressure … they seize the moment. A point the younger Hudson proved while earning the 2026 Louisiana Farm Bureau Insurance/Mr. Basketball honor from the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.
With an undeniable ability to impact both ends of the floor, either as a rim-rocking dunker or a determined shot-blocker, Hudson averaged 19.7 points on 59% shooting, 13.4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2.7 blocks as a junior.
Hudson, a starter for the Bearcats since his freshman year, is the first player from Ruston to win the Mr. Basketball honor. The 6-foot-6, 230-pound Hudson also is the 5-star football recruit and top-rated tight end in the 2027 class.
A two-time District 2-5A basketball MVP, Hudson led Ruston to a 23-4 record and state runner-up finish this season – the Bearcats’ first state championship game appearance since 1988. He averaged 23.3 points, 16.5 rebounds, and 4.3 blocks in the postseason but he saved his best for the biggest stages at the LHSAA’s state tournament.
In Ruston’s state semifinal win over Central, Hudson compiled put up 19 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks, and seven steals. Two days later, in an anticipated matchup of No. 1 (Zachary) vs. No. 2 (Ruston), Hudson was at his best with a staggering stat line with 32 points, 24 rebounds, seven blocks, and four steals.
Hudson joins Paul Millsap (2003, Grambling Lab) as just the second player from Lincoln Parish to win the award.
Louisiana Farm Bureau Insurance/LSWA Mr. Basketball winners
1996: Lester Earl, Glen Oaks
1997: Marcus Fizer, Arcadia
1998: Stromile Swift, Fair Park
1999: Bernard King, Gibsland-Coleman
2000: Chris Duhon, Salmen
2001: Donald Perry, McCall
2002: Darrel Mitchell Jr., St. Martinville
2003: Paul Millsap, Grambling
2004: Glen Davis, University
2005: Tasmin Mitchell, Denham Springs
2006: Demond Carter, Reserve Christian
2007: Greg Monroe, Helen Cox
2008: Greg Monroe, Helen Cox
2009: Joevoskie Mitchell, Zwolle
2010: Markel Brown, Peabody
2011: Ricardo Gathers, Riverside
2012: Dee Wagner, Peabody
2013: Jarell Martin, Madison Prep
2014: Reginal Johnson Jr., Richwood
2015: Brandon Sampson, Madison Prep
2016: Javonte Smart, Scotlandville
2017: Javonte Smart, Scotlandville
2018: Javonte Smart, Scotlandville
2019: Jalen Cook, Walker
2020: Reece Beekman, Scotlandville
2021: Carlos Stewart, The Dunham School
2022: Solomon Washington, Carver
2023: Chris Lockett, Newman
2024: Allen Graves, Ponchatoula
2025: Drew Timmons, Hannan
2026: Ahmad Hudson, Ruston