Haywood Highsmith

Highsmith in 2019

After going undrafted in the 2018 NBA draft, Highsmith signed with the Delaware Blue Coats of the NBA G League through a local tryout. He averaged 13.7 points per game in 21 appearances.[5]

Highsmith was signed to a two-way contract by the Philadelphia 76ers on January 8, 2019. Under the terms of the deal, he split time between the 76ers and the Blue Coats.[6] Highsmith made his NBA debut the same day, scoring three points in five minutes of play in a 132–115 win over the Washington Wizards, after also playing in a game for the Blue Coats against Raptors 905 earlier in the day.[7] Highsmith finished his first professional season averaging 1.8 points and one rebound over five NBA games and 12.2 points, 6.8 rebounds , 2.5 assists, and 1.2 steals over 46 G League games (42 starts).[8]

On June 24, 2019, the 76ers waived Highsmith.[9]

After his Exhibit 10 deal with the Phoenix Suns fell through,[10] Highsmith returned to the 76ers to sign an Exhibit 10 contract.[11]

Highsmith re-joined the Blue Coats for the 2019–20 season.[12] On December 31, Highsmith posted 20 points, eight rebounds, one assist and one steal in a loss to the Maine Red Claws.[13] He averaged 10.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.[14]

On September 4, 2020, Highsmith signed with the Crailsheim Merlins of the Basketball Bundesliga.[15]

On July 27, 2021, Highsmith signed with Vanoli Cremona of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA)[16] with an NBA exit option. As an Exhibit 10 offer arrived from the Philadelphia 76ers, he decided to withdraw from Cremona and return to the U.S.[17] On September 30, he signed and was waived by the 76ers.[18]

Highsmith rejoined the Blue Coats in 2021. He averaged 14.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.[19]

On December 30, 2021, Highsmith signed a 10-day contract with the Miami Heat via the hardship exemption.[19]

On January 9, 2022, Highsmith was reacquired by the Delaware Blue Coats.[20]

On February 15, 2022, Highsmith signed a standard 10-day contract with the Miami Heat.[21] Ten days later, he signed a second 10-day contract.[22] Following the expiration of the second 10-day contract, Highsmith signed a three-year deal to remain with the Heat.[23][24]

On December 20, 2022, Highsmith scored a career-high 18 points, alongside two rebounds, two assists and four steals, in a 113–103 loss to the Chicago Bulls.[25] The Heat qualified for the play-in tournament and advanced to face the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, whom they defeated in five games in a historic upset.[26] In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Highsmith scored a then playoff career-high 15 points, alongside two rebounds and two steals, in a 110–97 loss to the Boston Celtics.[27] The Heat eventually defeated the Celtics in seven games to advance to the NBA Finals and face the Denver Nuggets. In Game 1 of the Finals, Highsmith matched his career high of 18 points, alongside two rebounds and two steals, in a 104–93 loss.[28] The Heat went on to lose the series in 5 games.