#SigningStories: Izzy Higginbottom

kylie magar March 20, 2024

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas women’s basketball head coach Mike Neighbors has signed top transfer, Natural State native Izzy Higginbottom, as announced early this week. Higginbottom spent the past two seasons at Arkansas State, in which she was an All-Sun Belt First Team selection and top 10 scorer in the NCAA this past season. The Batesville native will come to Arkansas as a graduate transfer for the 2024-25 season.

Izzy Higginbottom | G | 5-7 | Batesville, Ark. | Arkansas State/Batesville HS

#SigningStories, as told by Arkansas women’s basketball head coach Mike Neighbors

“I got it wrong the first time around.”

That was the first line of the text I sent Izzy Higginbottom Monday morning as soon as her name appeared in the transfer portal.

What had I gotten wrong?

Coming out of high school, I totally undervalued her desire to be a Razorback.

After having to defend her when she played at Missouri and Arkansas State, my mistake was even more apparent. Her 27 points kept her team in the game the entire way (when Arkansas and A-State squared off on Friday, Nov. 17), finishing 9-of-14 from the field, 2-of-2 from 3-point and 7-of-8 from the free throw line earlier this season.

Luckily for us, Izzy was raised in a strong family that believes in second chances and has instilled an unbelievable spirit in their daughters.

When she responded to my offer for a visit sometime this week with “how ‘bout we head up there now,” I knew we were a perfect fit. While we can’t make up for the past, we are all going to enjoy having her in a Razorback uniform.

Last year, best year!

Izzy Higginbottom’s side of her story in signing with the Razorbacks

As a little girl who grew up in the Natural State, I was always a huge Razorback fan. My parents would take me to games for my birthday and we’d always watch them on TV.

From the time I started playing, I knew my dream was to be a Razorback. As soon as Coach Neighbors reached out to me, I knew where I was going to go. I’m truly grateful and excited for this opportunity.

Coach Neighbors and the rest of the staff are phenomenal people and experienced coaches that I can’t wait to learn from.

I’m thankful for every part of my journey thus far and am looking forward to living out my childhood dream this last year. Go Hogs!

THE ACCOLADES:

First Team All-Sun Belt Conference honoree following her historic junior season for Arkansas State
One of 10 semifinalists for the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year
Logged 22.2 points per game this past season, which led the conference and was No. 8 in the NCAA, all while shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from beyond the arc
Led the league in free throws made (175), which was No. 2 in the nation when she was still playing, and free throw attempts (192), seventh most in the NCAA. She was 91.1 percent from the free throw line, which is currently ranked No. 6 in the nation
The only other player to average at least seven free throws per game on 90 percent efficiency was Elana Delle Donne in 2010-11 (since Her Hoop Stats was created)
Registered seven 30+ point performances, including a career-high 35 points against South Alabama, and became a 1,000-point scorer this past season with A-State
Named Sun Belt Conference Newcomer of the Year following her sophomore season with the Red Wolves, as well as a Second Team All-Sun Belt honoree
As a sophomore at Arkansas State, logged 16.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game
Started her career at Missouri, playing for the Tigers during the 2021-22 season
Averaged 6.0 points with a 38.4 shooting percentage from the field, a 36.8 clip from beyond the arc and 93.5 percent mark from the free throw line
Tabbed SEC Freshman of the Week after scoring 18 points vs. Idaho State
Played at Batesville High School, coming out as the No. 20-ranked guard by ESPNW and No. 97 overall recruit by Prospect Nation
Earned 4A All-State and All-Tournament honors in 2019, 2020 and 2021, as well as the Tournament MVP during the team’s state title run in 2019

PERSONAL:

Daughter of Rachel and Greg Mosier
Majoring in exercise science

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about Arkansas Women’s Basketball, follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @RazorbackWBB and on Facebook at Facebook.com/RazorbackWBB. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel, “Kickin’ It In The Neighborhood” for an inside look at the Razorback women’s basketball program and check out The Neighborhood podcasts at CoachNeighbors.com.