Higgins is taking his time

The fall signing period came and went with several top prospects still available. Cory Higgins from Monte Vista High School in Danville (Calif.) is among them. Despite several scholarship offers, the 6-foot-4 senior shooting guard standout is in no hurry and has decided to wait until the spring before making his college selection.

Higgins is a smooth and skilled guard who has Division I prospect written all over him. The son of former NBA player and current General Manager of the Golden State Warriors, Rod Higgins, Cory is a long, athletic guard who is very sound fundamentally. He is a good shooter and has a solid grasp of how to play, as he lets the game come to him and rarely forces the action.

"He has all of the pieces to be a great player," said Lou Richie, head coach of the Oakland Soldiers club team. "Cory is very coachable and very skilled. He has a great work ethic and a high basketball IQ, which comes from being around the game and with his father Rod, a former NBA player."

Over the summer, Higgins participated in the NBA Players Association Camp in Virginia, as well as the Nike All American camp in Indianapolis, where he was rated one of the top shooting guards by various scouting services. Higgins' play last year in high school and on the club circuit has helped attract the attention of various colleges.

Some of the schools recruiting him include Villanova, Nevada, Oregon, and Fresno State. Higgins has offers from St. Mary's, San Francisco, Loyola Marymount and Cal Poly, where his older brother, Rick, is a sophomore guard. However, instead of signing early, Higgins decided to wait and play out the recruiting process.

"I am just taking things slow right now," said Higgins.

Because of his decision to wait, Higgins will be a hot commodity for schools looking for a skilled shooting guard with size who understands the game. Schools tracking his progress this season include Vanderbilt, St. John's, Washington State, Marquette as well as most of the schools who have already offered him scholarships. Higgins said he is open and willing to go anywhere in the country to play. He just wants the situation to be right.

"I am looking for something that feels right," continued Higgins. "I want to go to a school that has a serious basketball program."

While he is taking his recruitment slow, his play has gotten off to a fast start this season. Monte Vista is 3-0 record after winning the Russ Peterich Tournament in Santa Rosa. While the Mustangs have a strong nucleus of plaers, Higgins is the key to the team's success.

"We have a good shot at winning the North Coast Section in Division I and going to NorCals," said Higgins. "Our biggest tests will be beating Foothill in league, and then getting by either De La Salle or San Leandro for NCS."

With continued success on the court, Higgins' recruitment should pick up and various mid major programs will be visiting the bay area to watch him play.

"He is a great kid with a great basketball upside," continued Richie. "He will be very successful in basketball and in life."