STOCKTON, Calif. – Making history for the Tigers yet again, Valerie Higgins became the first player in Pacific women's basketball program history to be selected in the WNBA Draft when she was the first pick in the 3^rd round by the New York Liberty in the 2021 WNBA Draft on Thursday night.
 
"Valerie is the ultimate competitor with tremendous character and has consistently represented Pacific well over the past four years" said head coach Bradley Davis. "She continues to do so as she enters this next phase of her basketball career. I couldn't be more appreciative of all that Val has brought to Pacific during her time here. In addition, I couldn't be prouder of all she has achieved at Pacific and the national notoriety she has gained during her time as a Tiger.  Wherever this basketball path takes her, I know future success is waiting for her."
 
Higgins will join the New York Liberty, who finished at the bottom of the WNBA standings in 2020 with a 2-20 record under head coach Walt Hopkins. Notably, she will be paired with 2020 WNBA number one overall pick and former CalStars teammate, Sabrina Ionescu.
 
During her time in a Pacific uniform, Valerie served as a model of consistency and production. Finishing her career as one of the most accomplished student-athletes on the court, Higgins was the West Conference Defensive Player of the Year twice during her time in Stockton, as well as earning All-WCC First Team Honors three times. Prior to the start of the 2020-2021 season, she was recognized as one of the top players in the country when she was named to the Becky Hammon Mid Major Player of the Year watch list.  
 
Overall, Higgins ranks in the top ten in points (1,357, sixth), rebounds (744, seventh), assists (271, ninth), steals (278, second), blocks (75, ninth), and free throw percentage (.783, fourth) in program history. As a member of the 1,000-point + 600-rebound club, the 6'1" guard also ranks in the top five at Pacific in points per game (16.8, second), steals per game (3.4, first), defensive rebounds (535, third), defensive rebounds per game (6.6, second), overall rebounding average (9.2, third), free throws attempted (531, third) and free throws made (416, first).

In 2020-21, Higgins dominated the WCC, finishing first in steals and free throw percentage, second in points and rebounds, sixth in blocks, eighth in FG percentage and twelfth in assists. Nationally, she also ranked second in Division I in total steals as well as finishing in the top 25 in defensive rebounds and free throw percentage.
 
As a local Southern California product, Higgins spent her freshman year at USC, starting in 15 of the 29 games she appeared in for the Trojans in 2016-17. 
 
Beginning her dominance at the high school level, the versatile guard was named SoCal Player of the Year and was selected to the Jordan Brand Classic All-American West Team as a senior at Chaminade College Prep. Additionally, she was selected as the Los Angeles Times' girls' basketball player of the year and was ranked as a top-ten wing in the 2016 recruiting class. Piling up the awards, she was also a two-time Nike EYBL National Champion, three-time league MVP, three-time All-CIF honoree and was named to the 2016 USA Today All-California Second Team.
 
Historically, Higgins will become the first Tiger to sign a professional contract since Sofie Tryggedsson signed with Spirou Ladies Charleroi in June of 2020. One season prior, Ameela Li signed a contract with BEAC in Hungary's A Division following her time at Pacific.

For more updates and more information on the 2020-21 Pacific women's basketball team, be sure to follow @Pacific_Hoops on Twitter, @pacificwbb on Instagram and @PacificWomensBasketball on Facebook.