Legendary CBHS basketball coach Bubba Luckett to join Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame

• Former Christian Brothers High School basketball coach Bubba Luckett was surprised with the news that he will be joining the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
• Luckett, who coached for 42 years, is the first Memphis high school basketball coach to receive the honor.
• He won more than 700 games and two state titles during his career before retiring in 2025.

Bubba Luckett was seated in the first row of bleachers just behind the Christian Brothers High School bench he once manned for 42 years.

He was flanked by several family members as they watched his son, Brad Luckett, coach their alma mater. It’s the younger Luckett’s first season as head coach, so Bubba presumed the extra family was just there to support Brad. But on Feb. 9, they were once again there for Bubba.

During halftime of CBHS’ game against MUS, Luckett was surprised with the announcement that he will be inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame’s 2026 class.

“I had no clue,” Luckett said after receiving a medallion and a standing ovation at halftime. “A lot of my family is here, and I thought they were just coming to watch Brad. I didn’t have any clue what was going on.”

Luckett joins former Tennessee Volunteers football stars Charles McRae, Antone Davis and the late Reggie Cobb as members of the 2026 class, according to a new release shared with The Commercial Appeal. He is the first Memphis high school basketball coach to join the Tennessee hall of fame.

The full class will be announced in the coming weeks ahead of July 11’s induction ceremony at the Omni Nashville Downtown.

“Bubba has been successful at every level — as a CBHS player, as a Tiger player . . . And then his coaching career, you can put those numbers up against anybody,” said Harold Graeter, chairman of the Tennessee Sports HOF, who presented Luckett with the news at halftime. “He’s one of the winningest coaches in the history of our city, Shelby County and the entire state of Tennessee.”

Luckett was also inducted as a member of the Memphis Sports Hall of Fame in October 2025. In his 42 years as a coach, the CBHS and Memphis alum won more than 700 games, including two state titles and four state runner-up finishes. He now enjoys his time as a grandfather and supporter of the school he’ll forever love and call home.

“I did the right thing, but I miss it, no doubt,” said Luckett, who retired in 2025. “I’m watching it as a spectator. I’m not really thinking about what they should or shouldn’t do. (Brad’s) a better coach than me. I wouldn’t dare second-guess what he’s doing.”

Christian Brothers (14-9) dropped the Feb. 9 game to MUS (14-6), 50-33.

“He’s lived a Hall of Fame life, and he deserves the recognition,” Graeter said. “We’re proud to be able to induct Coach Luckett. When I look at coaches, it’s not just the wins and the championships — it’s the lives they touched.”

Wendell Shepherd Jr. is The Commercial Appeal’s high school sports beat writer. Reach Wendell at wendell.shepherd@commercialappeal.com or on X @wendellsjr_.