Quick facts
Birthdate
May 23, 1991
Hometown
Rothesay, NB
Residence
Rothesay, NB
Sport
Wheelchair basketball
Classification
4.5
Experience
Lima 2019
Santiago 2023
Tokyo 2020
Paris 2024
Colin Higgins showed his offensive skills in April 2024 as he scored 14 points and added 16 rebounds to help Canada defeat Italy 72-60 in the deciding game to qualify for the Paralympic Games in Paris.
He was one of the country’s top scorers as well in its bronze medal performance at the Parapan American Games and sixth place finish at the world championships, both in 2023.
Higgins made his Paralympic Games debut at Tokyo 2020 where Canada place eighth.
Born and raised on the east coast, Higgins joined the wheelchair basketball circuit in 2014, after local classifier Karen Ferguson asked him to come and try out. Instantly, Higgins was hooked on the game and fell in love with the sport because of its complexity – from being aggressive, passive, to the physicality.
After joining the local club in Saint John in 2014, Higgins attended the 2015 Canada Games representing Team New Brunswick.
His progression through the sport earned him a coveted spot at the National Academy in 2016. He went on to earn a roster spot with Team Canada in 2017 as part of the Senior Men’s National Team and competed at the world championships in 2018 and the Parapan American Games in 2019.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
2020 Paralympic Games… 2019, 2023 Parapan American Games… 2018 and 2023 World Championships… Named WBC’s Male Athlete of the Year for 2023… Named Male Athlete of the Year by Sport NB in 2021 while Para swimmer Danielle Dorris was named the top female athlete. It was the first time ever the male and female honorees were both from parasports….
PERSONAL
At age 22, he had an injury that severed his peroneal nerve, causing “drop foot” … Graduated in sports business at the University of Missouri … Did his Grade 11 and 12 in New Hampshire on a prep scholarship to play hockey… Para sport New Brunswick board member…
NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS
- 2023 Parapan American Games 3rd
- 2023 World Championships 6th
- 2021 Paralympic Games 8th
- 2019 Parapan American Games 2nd
- 2018 World Championships 12th