Haywood Lee Highsmith Jr. hails from Baltimore, Maryland, and is currently a member of the Miami Heat in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Born on December 9, 1996, he honed his basketball skills at Wheeling Jesuit University, where he garnered acclaim as the NCAA Division II Player of the Year in 2018.
As of 2024, Haywood Highsmith's net worth is approximately $2.3 million. Regarding his contracts and career earnings, he initially inked a two-way deal with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2018, valued at $77,250.
Subsequently, he secured a two-way contract with the Miami Heat in 2021, valued at $547,701. In 2022, he sealed a two-year contract with the Miami Heat, totaling $3.6 million. For the 2023-24 season, his earnings amount to $1,902,137.
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Haywood Highsmith Jr. enrolled at Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore, where he shared the basketball court with NFL wide receiver Deonte Harris. Despite not initially garnering much attention from Division I colleges, he showcased his skills on the court, ultimately earning recognition.
Subsequently, he pursued his collegiate basketball career at Wheeling Jesuit University, where he distinguished himself as the NCAA Division II Player of the Year in 2018.
Throughout his college tenure, he amassed various accolades and emerged as a key player for the team.
Haywood Highsmith Jr.'s path to the NBA underscores his relentless determination and work ethic. Following his college basketball stint at Wheeling Jesuit University, he remained undrafted in the 2018 NBA draft.
Later, he seized an opportunity with the Delaware Blue Coats of the NBA G League. Highsmith's unwavering commitment and exceptional talent captured the attention of the Philadelphia 76ers, leading to a two-way contract with them in 2018.
Subsequently, he briefly played for the Crailsheim Merlins in Germany before making his mark with the Miami Heat. His unwavering dedication and outstanding skills have propelled him from a Division II college player to a flourishing professional basketball career in the NBA.
Haywood Highsmith Jr. has encountered setbacks in his professional journey, including injuries. In January 2024, he was placed in the NBA concussion protocol. Additionally, he missed four games due to a sprained left knee, six games because of a lower back contusion, and one game due to a non-COVID illness.
In February 2024, following the Miami Heat's game against the Orlando Magic, he was involved in a car accident. Fortunately, he emerged unscathed, but others were injured. As a result of personal reasons stemming from the accident, he was unable to participate in the Heat's game against the San Antonio Spurs.
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Indeed, Haywood Highsmith Jr. has actively engaged in charitable endeavors. He took part in a back-to-school event coordinated by Kids Foot Locker, offering students a day filled with enjoyment.
Furthermore, he contributed to the 14th Annual "Hoops & High Fashion" Miami HEAT Charitable Fund Gala, dedicated to assisting programs aimed at enhancing the lives of at-risk families in South Florida.
His participation in these events underscores his commitment to supporting and uplifting the community through charitable initiatives.
Haywood Highsmith Jr. is currently unmarried, but he shares a committed relationship with his longtime partner, Mel Diaz Carrasco, with whom he shares a daughter named Hazel. Mel, a real estate agent specializing in high-value properties, also has a son from a previous relationship.
She maintains an active presence on Instagram, where she provides glimpses into both her professional endeavors and personal passions.
Haywood Highsmith has found himself embroiled in controversy. On February 8, 2024, he was issued a citation for careless driving following his involvement in a car accident that resulted in a man sustaining a partially amputated leg and other injuries. This incident has garnered considerable attention and is deemed controversial due to the severity of its repercussions.
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