Haywood Highsmith’s journey from undrafted rookie to a key Miami Heat contributor is a story of grit and growth. In this article, you’ll get a complete look at Highsmith’s personal background, early and professional career, relationship details, current net worth, contract and salary breakdown, career earnings, endorsements, and his up-to-date NBA stats.
Haywood Highsmith’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Haywood Lee Highsmith Jr. |
| Date of Birth | December 9, 1996 |
| Age | 28 |
| Education | Wheeling Jesuit University (2014–2018) |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Weight | 220 lbs (100 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 2018 |
| Net Worth | $4.2 million |
| Salary | $5,200,000 |
| Career Earnings | $9,402,476 |
| Wife/Girlfriend | Melissa Diaz Carrasco |
| Children | Daughter: Hazel (born October 2021) |
| Instagram Profile | N/A |
| Twitter Profile | N/A |
Early Career
Haywood Highsmith grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, where he played high school basketball at Archbishop Curley High School. Despite a standout prep career, he received little attention from Division I college programs. Highsmith chose Wheeling Jesuit University, a Division II school, where he steadily improved each season.
By his senior year, he averaged 22 points and 12.6 rebounds per game, earning Division II All-American honors and the Mountain East Conference Player of the Year award. His college success set the foundation for his professional journey, even though he went undrafted in 2018.
Professional Career
Undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft, Highsmith started his professional career with the Delaware Blue Coats in the G League. He impressed with his scoring and rebounding, which led to a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers in January 2019. After brief stints with the 76ers and more time in the G League, he played overseas for the Crailsheim Merlins in Germany.
Highsmith joined the Miami Heat on back-to-back 10-day contracts, eventually earning a multi-year deal. With the Heat, he became known for his defensive tenacity and improved three-point shooting, carving out a reliable role in the rotation and earning a new contract in 2024.
Girlfriend
Haywood Highsmith is in a relationship with Melissa Diaz Carrasco. Melissa is a certified mortgage loan originator based in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area.
She has a daughter with Highsmith named Hazel, born in October 2021. Melissa also has a son from a previous relationship. She is often seen supporting Highsmith at Miami Heat games and is active in the local community through her professional work.
Haywood Highsmith’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Highsmith’s net worth is estimated at $4.2 million.
Contract
Highsmith signed a two-year, $10.8 million fully guaranteed contract with the Miami Heat. The deal pays him $5.2 million for the 2024-25 season and $5.6 million for the 2025-26 season. There are no player or team options, making it a straightforward commitment from both sides.
Salary
For the 2024-25 NBA season, Highsmith will earn a base salary of $5,200,000. This marks a significant increase from his previous seasons and reflects his value as a core rotation player for the Heat. He is now among the top ten earners on the Miami roster, a testament to his development and importance to the team.
Career Earnings
| Season | Team | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | Philadelphia 76ers | $77,250 |
| 2021-22 | Miami Heat | $547,701 |
| 2022-23 | Miami Heat | $1,752,638 |
| 2023-24 | Miami Heat | $1,902,137 |
| 2024-25 | Miami Heat | $5,200,000 |
| 2025-26 | Miami Heat | $5,616,000 |
| Total | $15,095,726 |
Career Stats
| Season | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | Philadelphia 76ers | 5 | 0 | 8.0 | .400 | .200 | .000 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 1.8 |
| 2021-22 | Miami Heat | 19 | 1 | 8.6 | .348 | .321 | .400 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 2.3 |
| 2022-23 | Miami Heat | 54 | 11 | 18.0 | .431 | .339 | .464 | 3.5 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 4.4 |
| 2023-24 | Miami Heat | 66 | 26 | 20.7 | .465 | .396 | .639 | 3.2 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 6.1 |
| 2024-25 | Miami Heat | 74 | 42 | 24.6 | .458 | .382 | .721 | 3.4 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 6.5 |
| Career | 218 | 80 | 20.0 | .449 | .374 | .605 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 5.4 |
FAQs
1. What teams has Haywood Highsmith played for in the NBA?
He played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, and currently suits up for the Brooklyn Nets. Highsmith made his mark as a key defensive wing and a valuable rotation player.
2. What notable college honors did Highsmith achieve?
He starred at Wheeling Jesuit University, earning NCAA Division II Player of the Year and first-team Division II All-America as a senior, leading the team to its first conference championship.
3. How did Highsmith enter the NBA and what is his background?
He went undrafted out of Wheeling Jesuit in 2018, then launched his career with the Delaware Blue Coats in the G League. Philadelphia called him up for his NBA debut later that season.
4. What are Highsmith’s typical roles and playing style?
Highsmith plays forward positions, excelling as a versatile defender and three-and-D specialist. His strengths include hustle, energy, switching ability, and timely scoring from the perimeter.
5. What are Highsmith’s NBA career stats?
Through five NBA seasons, he averaged 6.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game during his best campaign, while playoffs numbers include over 30 games in three postseason runs.
6. Has Highsmith received significant team or individual honors in the pros?
His professional recognition includes key rotational roles in Miami’s runs to the NBA Finals and consistent assignments for defending top perimeter scorers. He’s widely respected for his work ethic.
7. What NBA contract details are known for Highsmith?
He signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Miami Heat before moving to Brooklyn, with performance incentives and a team option included in his contract for financial and roster flexibility.
8. Which seasons did Highsmith make the greatest playoff impact?
He set a career playoff-best with averages of 4.8 points per series and played important minutes in matchups against top-tier opponents, helping his team outscore rivals in clutch stretches.
9. Has Highsmith faced injuries during his professional journey?
He underwent right knee surgery in August 2025 during Brooklyn’s offseason. Highsmith’s rehab aimed for an opening night return, with the team counting on his veteran presence once healthy.
10. What off-court legacy or inspiration does Highsmith provide?
Highsmith embodies resilience, having forged his own NBA path from NCAA Division II. His story inspires undrafted players to persist, work hard, and grab opportunities at the highest level.
