WASHINGTON (Map, News) - It is an issue facing parents the world over: How do I get my teenager to listen to my advice, not ignore it? Whenever Westfield junior Maurice “Mo” Hubbard decides he knows more than his father, Phil, on basketball-related matters there is a pretty airtight way to bring him around.

Call Gilbert Arenas.

Phil Hubbard played in the NBA for 10 years and is now a Washington Wizards assistant coach. That position gives his son plenty of chances to interact with some of the game’s biggest stars, including Arenas. It’s a pretty good card to play when trying to reach a talented, if occasionally stubborn, young man.

“I’m not always going to see eye-to-eye with my dad all the time,” said Mo Hubbard, a 6-foot-6 forward who has established himself as one of the top frontcourt players in the Washington, D.C. area. “But when Gil and Caron Butler and those guys tell me to listen to what he has to say you pretty much have to do it.”

Those interactions are nothing new for Mo Hubbard. He has grown up around the professional game as his father held assistant coaching positions with Atlanta and Golden State, even meeting Arenas when he was just a lowly Warriors rookie fighting for minutes.

Mo Hubbard counts former NBA players forward Tyrone Corbin and guard Steve Smith as his favorite players from his days in Atlanta, an appropriate inside-out choice considering that’s the way his game is developing. A forward with excellent rebounding instincts, Mo Hubbard (18.8 points per game, 11.4 rebounds per game) can consistently pull taller players away from the basket and is slowly improving the range on his jumper.

His play has helped steady a Westfield team that is 8-2 despite integrating four new starters and a group of role players into the lineup. Last week it hosted and won the first Bulldog Bash Holiday Tournament. Hubbard averaged 24 points and 12 rebounds per game at the event en route to most valuable player honors.

“Mo has given us exactly what we needed,” said Westfield coach Doug Ewell, whose team features just two seniors. “It was test early. But with his points and rebounds always there it allowed everyone to adjust to their new roles.”

Hubbard’s cupboard

» Mo Hubbard’s father, Phil, played at Michigan, was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 1979 and spent eight years with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He averaged 10.9 points per game during his career.

» Mo Hubbard has drawn recruiting interest from a wide variety of schools, including DePaul, Virginia, St. Joseph’s, Ball State, George Mason and Richmond. He spent last summer with the prestigious Norfolk, Va.-based Boo Williams AAU team.

» Seven different players have started games this season for Westfield, which plays Concorde District rival Robinson at home tonight at 7:30.

Comments from Examiner Readers

6:33 PM MST on Mon., Apr. 21, 2008 re: "Atkins plays for his dad"

Examiner Reader said:
Eric it was a great pleasure to watch you develop the last two years. I wish you continued success.If you need anything you can call on me. Mr.Don

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6:14 PM MST on Mon., Mar. 10, 2008 re: "Vikings two wins from reaching top of the Mount"

Examiner Reader said:
I think you should check the brackets for who's playing who in the state championship.

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6:40 PM MST on Sun., Feb. 24, 2008 re: "Stewart comes full circle"

Examiner Reader said:
I am shocked that someone would air Mr.Stewarts personal affairs with so much disrespect. I only know Stewart from watching his career as well as following it through out his years over seas he came from nothing and has made something of himsef and his life to my knowlege Mr. Stewart has 3 children all from his wife of 10 years...This man has accomplished a great deal and that is what the article is about.It's not personal.

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1:22 AM MST on Fri., Feb. 1, 2008 re: "Atkins plays for his dad"

Examiner Reader said:
Eric,if you care about academics as well as Basketball, then COME TO DUKE!! My daughter (class of '01) lost her dad to cancer just prior to her senior year. Though not a BB player, Coach K embraced her. All of the Duke coaches are GREAT mentors. You cannot go anywhere better. Join our Duke family. If you live 100 years you will never regret it. Love ya, widowed Duke mom.

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9:20 AM MST on Thu., Jan. 31, 2008 re: "Atkins plays for his dad"

Examiner Reader said:
Eric Atkins is a terrific young man with a wonderful family unit who is there to keep him moving foward in the absence of his dad. Being part of Eric's life right now is such a blessing to me and my family so thank you for highligting him and paying tribute to his dad.

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2:09 PM MST on Sun., Dec. 30, 2007 re: "Annandale impresses new coach"

Achilles said:
interesting

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9:15 AM MST on Wed., Jul. 11, 2007 re: "Basketball city title games tonight at Verizon Center"

Ben Williams II said:
All those high school teams in DC MD and VA are cheaters....and that KIMA school was the worst of all of them. It was like if a player wanted to play they let him, no matter how old he was. But even though their record wasnt that great, they did have some good players like Goodson, Peguero and Coleman. It shocked me to see Coleman play for such a organized team since the teams he usually play with are disfunctional. He and Peguero would make a nice 1+2 combo for college, but Coleman has to prove that he can dribble the ball. But he has my vote because he has changed him game enormously compared to his recent years, and why hasnt he and Peguero signed to any D1 schools?? The staff is HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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3:17 PM MST on Wed., Jun. 13, 2007 re: "Stewart comes full circle"

Examiner Reader said:
I'd like to know which kids Larry is talking about expressing something to in the 7/26/06 article he refers to, because it amazes me that he would care about any other kid in the world other than the ones he mentioned in the article being as though he has 2 other children, another 12 year old daughter and another 10 year old son which he plays no active role in his life what so ever nor does he pay the child support he is suppose to pay. He has alot more to achieve than a degree. He has a 10 year old son that he needs to be a father and role model to.

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6:58 AM MST on Wed., May. 23, 2007 re: "Branch�s 24 leads District stars in win"

Tony Gaujot said:
People must have not been paying attention last year. I am saying this because Kevin Durant had the best season for a freshman of All-Time and people still are saying Oden should be the # 1 pick by a 3to 1 margin. Durant is the most complete front line player I have ever seen. It's going to be sick when he adds 20-25 lbs. of muscle. Now I am not knocking Oden, but I think he is a bit overrated. To say he is the best center prospect in 25 years is laughable. Did the guys spouting this mess forget about Shaq? When Oden puts up 25 and 13 like Shaq did for most of his career and wins 4 titles then get back to me. To be honest, I am not sure Oden will ever average 20 ppg in the NBA. Besides, if you look at need, the Blazers already have Aldridge and he is very promising. If they took Durant to play the "3" their front line would be Durant, Zach Randolph, and Aldridge. Can you say UNSTOPPABLE?There really isn't room for both Aldridge and Oden. Durant = Bird but much more athleti

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12:42 PM MST on Thu., May. 17, 2007 re: "Branch�s 24 leads District stars in win"

Examiner Reader said:
I think Jamar Harrison is a C-USA, A-10 type talent right now, and if he improves his "3" he will become a guy that can play for money one day. it may be oversees, but he has the athletic ability to get there. A JUCO or prep school may actually be good alternatives for him, because he will continue to get lots of game action. If he goes to a solid D-1 program, he may sit for a year or two waiting his turn. He is, however, better than many of the guys some of the D-1 schools are signing.

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8:35 PM MST on Sat., May. 12, 2007 re: "Branch�s 24 leads District stars in win"

Steven Forte said:
That center Rodney Goodson is soft.

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8:32 PM MST on Sat., May. 12, 2007 re: "Branch�s 24 leads District stars in win"

Arnold Kennedy said:
Yes, Harrison should be getting tons of letters. He was clearly top 5 in the SG category, plus last year he squared off against Coleman and won the scoring battle 27-15, then in the next game, although they lost, he outscored Coleman 22-15. Now, even though Coleman had a horribly selfish PG in Harris, he still should have produced more last year as a Colt. But he did improve his defense this year. I went to all but two of KIMAs games and he did well, not great but well, considering that he had not played man to man defense at Coolidge. But yes, Harrison should be getting more letters. If he was maybe 6'6 instead of 6'2-6'3, he'd get way more offers. And Coleman really has an upside. Although he averaged about 22 last year, his average dropped to about 12-13 this year, but he didnt have the team he had last year. Coolidge needed a better point guard.

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8:26 PM MST on Sat., May. 12, 2007 re: "Branch�s 24 leads District stars in win"

Jamie Krystal said:
KIMA and Dunbar respectively had their share of talented SG's. But if they were to go head to head, Id give the advantage to KIMA. Dunbar's center Roberson I think is too weak against KIMA's Goodson...plus Goodson outweighs him by about 60 pounds.Goodson would dominate the whole game. Plus Coleman would chip in about 20 5 and 5, and that little point guard would give you some good minutes and some smart decisions. I think KIMA should have been ranked in the post top 20 instead of Dunbar.

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3:29 PM MST on Sat., May. 12, 2007 re: "Branch�s 24 leads District stars in win"

Tony Gaujot said:
Why isn't Jamar Harrison getting more offers? He was one of the 3 or 4 best SG's in the DC area last year. He has the game and the grades, but hardly any D-1 schools are noticing. It does not make any sense. It looks like not playing AAU ball really has hurt him. I hope a D-1 comes in late and gets him. He will produce. If not, maybe he should go to a prep school for the 07-08 season.

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8:24 PM MST on Sat., May. 5, 2007 re: "Bulldogs bitten once again"

Examiner Reader said:
They didn't feed the big man enough, but yes that Lionel Coleman really knows how to put on a show....did you see him in the lay-up lines?? Insane. Drew Smith

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8:22 PM MST on Sat., May. 5, 2007 re: "Bulldogs bitten once again"

Examiner Reader said:
Man that kid Coleman really helped bump that team over the edge...he was a difference maker the whole season...

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