The Pac 12 better watch out because here comes USC Women’s basketball. Last year, the Trojans finished with a mediocre 15-15 record, but with the incoming recruiting class that they have, they should vault straight to the top of the Pac-12. This year’s class includes one 3-star recruit, two 4-star recruits, and perhaps the top-wing player in the country, Valerie Higgins. “I know that it’s gonna be a process and it’s going to take some time, but I want to make an impact there.” said the 6’1” player from the Class of 2016. Valerie Higgins may be the next great USC Trojan, something that she would’ve never imagined when she first started playing.

 

    When Higgins started playing basketball at the age of six, expectations were high. As the daughter of two former division one basketball players, it seemed as if Higgins was destined to be a star on the basketball court, but come middle school, those high expectations began to dwindle away. “ A lot of people doubted me when I was younger because I wasn’t really good. I was kind of awkward and was just hitting a growth spurt. I was clumsy all the time.” she said.

However, by high school, Higgins hit her stride and came out firing. At Chaminade College Prep (Los Angeles, CA), Higgins took her game from to new heights, and soon the scholarship offers began to follow. “I had around 35-40 offers,” the high school Senior said. “Juggling everything was difficult for me, but it became more enjoyable after that once I realized that I didn’t need to reach out to every coach all the time.”

 

    Already reaching new strides on the court, Higgins’ game got even better after she started better managing her time. Instead of spending so much time dealing with recruiting, Higgins focused on her grades and improving on the basketball court. “Sometimes, there are late nights where I have to stay up studying, but it’s worth it. If you don’t have the grades, then you can’t play.” explained Higgins.

Now, as Higgins prepares to start college at USC, there is no doubt that she will be able to handle the challenges that come with being a student athlete. She plans to major in Communications, which would be a great opportunity, as she says, “USC has the School of Annenberg which is the number one journalism school in the country, so that would be a great opportunity.”

 

    On the court, Higgins has proved to be unguardable at the guard position. On defense, she leaves offenses in disarray, making her a top-15 player in the 2016 class. It seems as the only thing that’s missing from her game is an outside shot, but should change soon. “My three point shot could use a lot of improvement,” Higgins says. “I know that I’m good, but not great, and that’s what drives me.”

Now, as Valerie Higgins readies herself to take over the Pac-12, she will certainly be a player to follow next year at USC. She is on her way towards her dream of making it to the WNBA, but it’s not the WNBA that motivates her. “My little brother motivates me because he plays basketball. He’s in eighth grade now and he comes to all of my games. He’s my biggest supporter and he always cheers me on. I just want to be a good role model for him.”