Haywood Highsmith Bio
Haywood Lee Highsmith Jr. (born December 9, 1996) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Highsmith was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and attended Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore before playing college basketball for the Wheeling Jesuit Cardinals. He was named the NCAA Division II Player of the Year as a senior in 2018 after a standout collegiate career. After going undrafted in the 2018 NBA draft, Highsmith began his professional journey in the NBA G League with the Delaware Blue Coats and has since built a steady NBA career with multiple teams including the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, and Phoenix Suns.
Early Life and Background
Highsmith grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, where he attended Archbishop Curley High School and graduated in 2014. He was classmates with NFL wide receiver Deonte Harty of the Baltimore Ravens during his high school years. Despite his talent, Highsmith drew limited interest from NCAA Division I colleges, according to his high school coach Brian Hubbard. His father, Haywood Highsmith Sr., played college basketball for the Fairmont State Fighting Falcons and was inducted into the Fairmont State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012, giving Highsmith a family legacy in the sport.
After high school, Highsmith enrolled at Wheeling Jesuit University (now Wheeling University) in West Virginia, where he would develop into one of the top players in Division II basketball.
Path to Professional Basketball
Highsmith played four seasons for the Wheeling Jesuit Cardinals from 2014 to 2018. He became a starter for the team towards the end of his freshman season and quickly established himself as a dominant force. As a sophomore, his first full year as a starter, he averaged 14.5 points and 9.4 rebounds per game and earned first-team All-Mountain East Conference (MEC) honors.
His junior season saw him average 15.3 points and 10.8 rebounds, earning second-team All-MEC recognition. The 2017-18 senior season was his most impressive, as he averaged 22 points and 12.6 rebounds per game. He swept the conference awards, earning first-team All-MEC, MEC Player of the Year, and MEC tournament MVP honors. Nationally, he was named first-team Division II All-America by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and Division II National Player of the Year by the Conference Commissioner’s Association.
Haywood Highsmith Career
Delaware Blue Coats and Philadelphia 76ers (2018–2020)
After going undrafted in the 2018 NBA draft, Highsmith signed with the Delaware Blue Coats of the NBA G League through a local tryout. He appeared in 21 games and averaged 13.7 points per game during his first professional season. On January 8, 2019, Highsmith signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, which allowed him to split time between the NBA team and the Blue Coats. He made his NBA debut that same day, scoring three points in five minutes of play during a 132-115 win over the Washington Wizards. He finished his rookie season averaging 1.8 points and one rebound over five NBA games while also contributing 12.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game over 46 G League games. The 76ers waived Highsmith on June 24, 2019.
International and Return to G League (2020–2021)
Highsmith signed with the Crailsheim Merlins of the German Basketball Bundesliga on September 4, 2020. He appeared in 16 games for the German club, averaging 7.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game before returning to the United States. He rejoined the Delaware Blue Coats in 2021 and averaged 14.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game that season.
Miami Heat Era (2021–2025)
Highsmith signed with the Miami Heat on December 30, 2021, initially on a 10-day contract via the hardship exemption. He impressed enough to earn additional 10-day contracts before signing a three-year deal to remain with the team on February 25, 2022. On December 20, 2022, Highsmith scored a career-high 18 points, along with two rebounds, two assists, and four steals in a loss to the Chicago Bulls.
The 2022-23 season proved to be a breakthrough for both Highsmith and the Heat. Miami qualified for the play-in tournament and advanced to face the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, defeating them in five games in a historic upset. In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Highsmith scored a playoff career-high 15 points in a loss to the Boston Celtics. The Heat defeated the Celtics in seven games to advance to the 2023 NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets. In Game 1 of the Finals, Highsmith matched his career high of 18 points, helping the Heat compete against the Nuggets. Miami ultimately lost the series in five games. On July 8, 2024, Highsmith re-signed with the Heat on a two-year, $10.8 million contract. During the 2024-25 season, he made 74 appearances with 42 starts, averaging 6.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. On August 8, 2025, Highsmith suffered a meniscus tear in his right knee during a training session and was ruled out for 8-to-10 weeks after undergoing surgery.
Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns (2025–Present)
On August 15, 2025, Highsmith was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in a deal that also included a 2032 second-round pick in exchange for a $5.6 million trade exception and a 2026 protected second-round pick. He was announced as out for at least eight weeks due to a setback in his recovery from meniscal surgery. On February 5, 2026, the Nets waived Highsmith. Less than two weeks later, on February 18, he signed a multiyear contract with the Phoenix Suns.
Playing Style and Strengths
Highsmith plays primarily as a small forward and power forward, using his 6-foot-5 frame and 220-pound build to compete effectively at both positions. He has demonstrated the ability to score in multiple ways, contribute as a perimeter defender, and crash the boards. His collegiate success at Wheeling Jesuit, where he dominated as a forward in Division II, translated into a versatile professional player capable of filling various roles for his teams. His ability to stretch the floor and play both forward positions has made him a valuable depth piece for NBA teams throughout his career.
Notable Moments and Milestones
Highsmith’s career highlights include earning Division II National Player of the Year honors in 2018, making his NBA debut with the Philadelphia 76ers in January 2019, and playing a role in the Miami Heat’s run to the 2023 NBA Finals. His career-high 18-point performances against the Chicago Bulls and in Game 1 of the 2023 NBA Finals stand as testament to his ability to contribute when given opportunities on big stages. The Heat’s playoff upset over the top-seeded Bucks and their subsequent run to the Finals featured meaningful contributions from Highsmith throughout.
Haywood Highsmith Career Wins and Achievements
Throughout his professional and collegiate career, Highsmith has accumulated notable achievements at both the conference and national levels. His collegiate career at Wheeling Jesuit saw him earn multiple conference honors before becoming the Division II National Player of the Year in 2018. In the NBA, his most significant team achievement came with the Miami Heat’s run to the 2023 NBA Finals.
Collegiate and Professional Highlights
Highsmith’s most decorated season came in 2017-18 at Wheeling Jesuit, where he swept the Mountain East Conference awards and earned national recognition as the Division II Player of the Year. He was a two-time first-team All-MEC selection (2016 and 2018) and earned MEC tournament MVP honors in 2018. In the NBA, while individual win totals are not fully verified, his most impactful stretch came during the 2022-23 season with Miami, where he contributed to a team that reached the NBA Finals.
Career Statistics Overview
Highsmith has appeared in multiple NBA seasons with stints across several teams, developing from a G League player into a reliable rotation player. His most productive NBA season came with the Miami Heat during 2024-25, when he averaged 6.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists over 74 appearances. His G League statistics include averages of 13.7 points per game with Delaware in 2018-19 and 14.0 points per game in his 2021 return to the Blue Coats.
Haywood Highsmith Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Highsmith comes from a basketball family through his father, Haywood Highsmith Sr., who played college basketball for the Fairmont State Fighting Falcons. His father’s success in the sport at the collegiate level helped establish a basketball tradition in the family. Haywood Highsmith Sr. was inducted into the Fairmont State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012, recognizing his contributions to the program’s history.
Personal Life
Highsmith graduated from Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore in 2014 alongside future NFL wide receiver Deonte Harty. The two remained connected through their athletic careers, with Harty going on to play for the Baltimore Ravens while Highsmith pursued his professional basketball ambitions. Highsmith has maintained his connection to the Baltimore area throughout his career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 NBA season represented one of Highsmith’s most consistent professional seasons. He appeared in 74 games with 42 starts for the Miami Heat, establishing himself as a reliable rotation player. His averages of 6.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists reflected his ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game while coming off the bench for a playoff-caliber team. The season ended with a playoff appearance for the Heat, though Highsmith’s campaign was cut short by injury.
In August 2025, Highsmith suffered a significant injury when he tore the meniscus in his right knee during a training session. He underwent surgery and was initially ruled out for 8-to-10 weeks. A setback in his recovery prolonged his absence and ultimately led to his release from the Brooklyn Nets in February 2026 before he signed with the Phoenix Suns. The injury presented a challenge in his career, but his signing with Phoenix provided an opportunity for a fresh start with a new organization.