The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

AFTER achieving a myriad of accolades during her high school career, Bahamian basketball star Lashann Higgs has set the tone for an eagerly anticipated upcoming season debut in the NCAA.

The University of Texas Longhorns freshman guard was honoured by the Big 12 conference as the Preseason Freshman of the Year.

She became just the fifth player in the history of the programme to earn the award.

Big 12 head coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own student-athletes, selected the awards.

The Harbour Island native was consensus All-American at Cedar Ridge High School (Round Rock, Texas), and emerged as the No. 7-ranked player overall and third-ranked guard in the class of 2015, according to ESPN.com.

Higgs averaged 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists per game in her senior season for a Cedar Ridge team that reached the third round of the University Interscholastic League’s Class 6A playoffs in Texas.

Her list of accolades included the USA Today American Family Insurance All-USA First-Team and the Max Preps Girls Basketball All-American Second-Team.

Higgs’ list of honours for the 2014-15 season also included a Naismith Trophy top-five finalist, Naismith Trophy All-America First Team, McDonald’s All-American, Women’s Basketball Coaches Association All-American, USA Today ALL-USA First Team, Austin American-Statesman Central, Texas Player of the Year, Jordan Brand Classic, Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Class 6A All-State and University Interscholastic League District 13-6A MVP.

Higgs competed in the Jordan Brand Classic and also became the first Bahamian to be named a McDonald’s All-American.

The Longhorns are scheduled to open the season when they host the University of Texas - San Antonio - on November 14.

In an interview with the Longhorns Network, Higgs discussed the impact of late mother Romilly Higgs, her adopted father George Washington, and the transition to life in the United States.

“You can’t dwell on the negative things because in every negative thing there’s always something positive out of it. It was a big step moving from the Bahamas to America. She just wanted me to have a better education and to become something she saw in me and the potential that I had, she saw I had the opportunity to be someone and she believed I could do whatever I wanted.

“She did the best for her kids like any mother would do. I grew as a person. I became more humble and appreciative of things,” she said.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. I’ve been coming around campus for a while and to finally be here means a lot to me and to finally be a part of the Longhorn community means a lot to me and I’m just happy to be here.”