Last Updated on April 20, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Rod Higgins
  • Nickname: N/A
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: June 15, 1959
  • Hometown: Fresno, California, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 7 in (201 cm)
  • Weight: 215 lbs (98 kg)
  • Wingspan: N/A
  • Shoe Size: N/A
  • Jersey Number (College and NBA): N/A
  • Position: Small Forward
  • High School: Roosevelt High School (Fresno, California)
  • College: Fresno State Bulldogs men’s basketball
  • NBA Draft: 1982, Round 2, Pick 31 — Chicago Bulls
  • Player Archetype: Slashing Wing Scorer
  • Primary Offensive Role: Off-ball scorer and transition finisher
  • Defensive Role: Perimeter wing defender
  • Play Style: Athletic, downhill attacker with midrange scoring ability
  • Handedness / Shooting Hand: Right
  • Athletic Profile: Above-average explosiveness and straight-line speed for a wing
  • Recruiting Status: N/A
  • Draft Status Detail: Second-round selection who carved out a short-term rotation role
  • Injury Status Category: Moderate Risk — no widely documented major injuries, but short career longevity
  • Career Stage: Retired
  • Comparison Style: Athletic scoring wing with transition emphasis
  • Comparable Players:
    • Julius Erving — slashing wing scorer with athletic finishing
    • Corey Brewer — transition-heavy wing with defensive activity
  • Teams Played For:
    • Chicago Bulls (1982–1985)
    • Golden State Warriors (1985–1987)
    • San Antonio Spurs (1987–1988)
  • Championship Rings: 0
  • Children: Cory Higgins
  • Siblings: N/A
  • Athlete Relatives: Cory Higgins (son, professional basketball player)
  • Retirement Age: 28
  • Retirement Year: 1988

Rod Higgins’ player archetype was that of a slashing wing scorer who operated primarily as an off-ball offensive option while defending opposing perimeter players. Offensively, he thrived in transition and as a cutter, using his 6’7” frame and above-average athleticism to finish plays and generate midrange scoring opportunities without needing high usage. Defensively, Higgins filled a standard wing role, leveraging mobility and length to stay in front of assignments rather than anchoring schemes. His overall play style was built around straight-line drives, energy scoring, and complementary production, making him most effective in uptempo systems where his physical tools could be maximized.

Sources:
Basketball Reference — Rod Higgins NBA Stats
NBA.com — Rod Higgins Player Bio
The New York Times — Rod Higgins Signs With Warriors