ORIGINS: From Garden Gloves to Golden State — The Astonishing Rise of Alex Higgins-Titsha

It’s been a whirlwind few years for Alex Higgins-Titsha — the 25-year-old forward who went from laying turf and trimming hedges in suburban Sydney to earning a call-up from one of the NBA’s most storied franchises, the Golden State Warriors.

The Taipans spark-plug has become known across the NBL for his explosiveness, slashing power and relentless energy off the bench. When he checks in, the temperature rises — all hustle and violent second jumps that inject life into every possession.

Standing 201 centimetres with a seven-foot wingspan, he rebounds like his life depends on it, claws at loose balls with purpose and attacks the rim with a mix of athleticism and intent. But unlike most professionals whose careers trace neat lines from junior rep systems to college programs, Higgins-Titsha’s path to the NBL was carved the hard way — through day jobs, night classes and endless gym sessions that fans will never see.

UNORTHODOX ORIGIN

‍

Born in Sydney, early on Higgins-Titsha grew up more interested in rugby league and the English Premier League than basketball. The Sydney Roosters and Chelsea FC filled his early sporting consciousness until at 12 years old, he discovered basketball.

“Just going down to the local courts, I loved it,” Higgins-Titsha recalls.

“I started following the Chicago Bulls — Derrick Rose, Carlos Boozer, Joakim Noah, Luol Deng and Jimmy Butler. Those guys, that team made me fall in love with the game.”

As a teenager he gravitated toward long, athletic players like Kevin Durant during his days in Oklahoma and a young Giannis Antetokounmpo — superstar forwards who could and would dominate. 

In 2019, his mother’s job took the family to Melbourne, where Higgins-Titsha joined the Melbourne Tigers youth team. Whether by fate or coincidence, the raw prodigy came under the eye of Australian basketball royalty, Andrew Gaze.

"A tremendous athlete who was still learning the game.

"He always had grit in his natural instincts, aggressive and athletic, which really stood out. His talent was clearly identifiable, but nothing was handed to him. He’s got to a destination, but it certainly wasn’t the easy way."

‍Andrew Gaze

After five months under the seven-time NBL MVP, Higgins-Titsha moved back to Sydney — but not before absorbing lessons in professionalism and structure that would underpin his later rise. 

Born with a mix of Australian and Zimbabwean heritage.

Behind the rise stands his mother, whose support shaped his mindset.

“She’s my biggest influence,” he says. “Very caring, very laid-back. She’s always telling me to control what you can control, don’t stress too much. A huge support and she watches every game.”

GRIND SEASON

While most peers chased college scholarships or professional development deals, Higgins-Titsha was juggling university studies in sport and exercise management with real-world work.

“There was a time I’d work three or four days a week doing landscaping and garden maintenance, go to University, play Uni basketball, NBL1 East, coach kids at night and sometimes train after that,” he says. “It was busy — something every day.”

“Gives me a different experience, I’m definitely a late bloomer compared to most players.”

After playing youth league with the Sydney Comets, he joined Inner West Bulls in the newly formed NBL1 East, playing under coach Daniel King, who pushed him to see basketball as more than a passionate pursuit.

“Daniel got me to believe in myself,” Higgins-Titsha explains. “He pushed me to consider going professional. To knuckle down and take it seriously and have the goal of making the NBL. He’d tell me what I needed to hear, even when I didn’t want to. I still talk to him to this day.”

BAL BOUND

In 2021, an unexpected invitation came from Australian coach Liz Mills, who was assembling a squad to represent the Central African Republic in the Road to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) qualifying tournament.

Alex spent two months in Cameroon, training and competing against some of Africa’s most physical teams. 

It was crazy — a whole different style,” he says. “Very physical, a lot of contact and loosely officiated. But playing in Australia helped, we’re more system-based, more disciplined. That gave us an edge.”

His team advanced through the first round, ultimately qualifying for the prestigious Basketball Africa League (BAL) — a proving ground for global talent. Among his teammates were former Adelaide 36ers forward Emmanuel Malou and dual-national BJ Johnson.

“Crazy experience going to Africa,” he says. “I had never been before. I stayed in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, just seeing a different side of basketball.”

'HARDEST DAY OF BASKETBALL'

His big break came in 2024. Word spread of an open gym trial in Cairns for potential NBL roster spots.

“I was doing a lot of off-season work with the Sydney Kings and went up to Brisbane one time to train with the Bullets,” he says.

“I got the call about the trials and I just wanted to play hard and show what I could do. I arrived around midnight the night before, woke up at 6am and rolled into Cairns Basketball at 7am.”

Originally eight names were on the list — but 42 players showed up.

Exhaustingly long games at a high intensity with zero subs.

“It was the hardest day of basketball in my life,” Higgins-Titsha says.

“Back-to-back games all day. Everyone is fighting for a shot. Two development spots and one roster spot open.”

The humidity nearly broke him. “Every time I stopped running I started cramping. So I just kept moving.

“Halfway through they cut the list of players in half, then eliminated half the group again.”

By day’s end only a dozen remained. He capped the session with a ferocious dunk, caught an uber straight to the airport and promptly cramped up outside the front of Cairns Airport for half an hour.

“I couldn’t move. Just laying there,” he says.

“Next day (Head Coach Adam) Forde called and said he was interested.”

Signed as a development player, the tenacious defender entered NBL25 with modest expectations.

Minutes or matches aren’t guaranteed nor expected by a development player — then injuries opened a door.

The forward started travelling more with the team and suddenly he was debuting in front of his family in his hometown against the Sydney Kings.

“My mum, brother and girlfriend were all there, and a few of my friends came along as well. It was special to debut in front of them. I saw them all after the game, they were all super proud of me.” Higgins-Titsha says.

The debut lit the fuse for an explosive season. His intensity on both sides of the floor quickly earned minutes. By season’s end, he had gone from training camp hopeful to a key rotation contributor with 18 appearances.

Alex said he just focused on bringing energy and intent on the hardwood courts.

“I do things more subconsciously, it's just instinct” he explains. “A cut might free a teammate. A screen might get someone else open. That’s what gets you minutes.”

“I’ve never been the star or the main scorer. I just focus on the little things — setting screens, cutting, rebonding, defending. Coaches love that and it makes the stars better.”

GREEN & GOLD

Following a strong NBL25 campaign. Opportunity soon came in another form — the 3x3 format. Representing Australia (Gangurrus) with former Taipans Dillon Stith and Jonah Antonio and Taipans Head Coach Adam Forde and Lachlan Barker at tournaments in Thailand, Singapore and Mongolia, Higgins-Titsha’s athletic profile translated seamlessly to the smaller, faster game. 

“The speed is insane, no timeouts, no hiding,” he says. “You’ve got to defend and attack non-stop.”

The side won bronze at the Champions Cup in Bangkok, won gold at the Asia Cup in Singapore and progressed to the knockout stages of the World Cup in Mongolia.  

GOING BACK TO CALI

The momentum kept building. Whispers filtered through that Golden State Warriors scouts were interested, with Alex invited to the team’s mini-camp at their Biofreeze Performance Center in San Francisco — a gleaming facility connected to the Chase Center.

“The facilities were just insane,” Higgins-Titsha says. “Two awesome practice courts, a massive gym. The locker room is crazy, saunas, ice baths, we had an app that was connected to the kitchen and cafeteria to order food whenever. It really opens your eyes with the professionalism over there.”

He shared the training floor with Golden State players Quinten Post, Pat Spencer and Gui Santos. 

After impressing at the mini-camp, the lockdown forward was called back for NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Although an ankle injury curtailed his campaign, the experience and playstyle left its mark. 

“Steph Curry watched from courtside, saw Victor Wembanyama walking around. Just a crazy week.” he says. 

Higgins-Titsha embodies the message he preaches to young players.

"I got my first development contract at 24 — last year of eligibility. If you’re persistent, do the right things and have the right mindset.

"You can get to the level you want to get to. It just takes time. When I was younger, I didn’t play any state teams. If you stick with it, you can reach your goals for sure."

Alex Higgins-Titsha

In a cruel twist after a strong start to the campaign, Higgins-Titsha’s second season has been cut short — upcoming surgery to his left wrist ruling him out for the remainder of NBL26.

But for a player who once laid turf by day and trained by night, resilience isn’t optional — it’s instinct. His journey has never followed the easy route and neither will his comeback.

Expect him to return hungrier, sharper and ready to write the next chapter of his remarkable rise. The long game suits Alex. Because those who climb slowly tend to stay at the top longer.