Will Higgs '26 Beyond the Court

After tearing his ACL last year and missing his entire junior season, Will Higgs ’26 faced one of the toughest stretches of his basketball career. “Basketball was my sole focus outside of academics,” he said. “Mentally and emotionally, it was really hard to be away from the game.”

The time away forced Will to shift his focus toward recovery while taking care of his mental health. “I had to focus on what I could control,” he explained, committing fully to physical therapy and maintaining a positive mindset. 

Being sidelined also opened the door for growth beyond basketball, as he became more involved on campus and picked up new interests, including playing the piano. “That year taught me patience and resilience,” Will said. “It helped me realize I’m more than just an athlete.”

Head coach Mike Shelton believes those qualities are exactly what will allow Will to succeed at the Ivy League level. “Will’s hard work and determination are what separate him,” Shelton said. “He plays with relentless effort and demands the best out of himself, on and off the court. That consistency and internal drive will allow him to thrive in a league that values discipline and toughness.”

Shelton is especially proud of how Will responded to adversity during his injury year. “Tearing his ACL on the first day of practice as a new student, after putting so much into preparing for the season, was devastating for all of us,” he said. “The way he stayed connected, led from the sidelines every day, and attacked his rehab with the same determination that defines him showed maturity and leadership beyond his years.”

When choosing his next step, Will found that Princeton stood out as the right fit beyond the court. Its balance of high-level athletics and strong academics closely mirror what Will has valued at NMH. “Academics have always been a huge priority for me,” he said. Princeton’s culture and access to elite physical therapy resources gave him confidence in both his future and continued recovery. “If the ball ever stopped bouncing, I’d still be proud of the decision I made,” he added.

Will credits NMH with preparing him for the academic demands of an Ivy League institution. “The semester-based classes and challenging workload really prepared me for what’s next,” he said. He also points to the support of the NMH community throughout his journey. Athletic trainers Sam Hahn Clark and Wendy Young played a key role in his rehabilitation, while teachers, including arts faculty, supported him in the classroom and encouraged him to explore new interests. That collective support helped shape Will into a well-rounded scholar athlete-citizen, ready for the next chapter.