Johnny Higgins signs with New Mexico State

New Mexico State men's basketball head coach Marvin Menzies has signed Johnny Higgins to play for the Aggies in 2008-09. Higgins is a 6-1 guard from Baltimore, Md.

Higgins had originally signed with Duquesne but was released from his letter of intent on April 30th.

Higgins spent the two previous seasons at Notre Dame Preparatory School in Fitchburg, Ma., where he led the Crusaders to the 2007 Prep School National Championship. He scored 28 points against Bridgton Academy in the 114-94 victory in the title game. Higgins averaged 14.0 points and 7.0 assists as a senior while he teamed with Kansas State's Michael Beasley to direct the Crusaders to a 32-3 record. In 2008, Higgins and Notre Dame Prep returned to the national tournament but fell in the semifinals to Findlay College Prep, 74-70.

"Johnny Higgins is a player that we're very excited to welcome into the Aggie family," Menzies said. "He is a very strong, athletic combo guard, who will be able to help us immediately. We're very excited about his enthusiasm to be here with us."

Prior to Notre Dame, Higgins guided Randallstown High School in Randallstown, Md., to a pair of state championships as a sophomore and junior. In his junior season, Higgins averaged 27.8 points, 6.3 assists and 6.3 rebounds per game. As a sophomore, he posted 15.5 points, 5.2 assists and 5.4 rebounds per contest.

Higgins also played on the Cecil-Kirk AAU team, which he led to the Las Vegas Youth AAU Championship in 2007.