ALBANY, N.Y. – Former Knights goalkeeper JC Higginbotham has signed with the New York Atlas of the Premier Lacrosse League for the Lexus Championship Series event next February, the team has announced.
 
"I am very grateful for the opportunity to play at the highest level, and I thank Bellarmine University for everything," Higginbotham said. "I especially want to thank my coaches and teammates at Bellarmine because, without that group of men, I wouldn't have earned a chance to play professional lacrosse. The values that were created in our locker room have allowed me to take this next step in my lacrosse career."
 
Higginbotham, whose name sits atop Bellarmine's all-time saves and goalkeeper wins list, became the fifth Knight to garner All-American status this past spring when Inside Lacrosse tabbed him on with All-American Honorable Mention notice.
 
"I couldn't be happier for JC to get this opportunity," said Bellarmine head coach Andrew Whitley. "Not only is he one of the best goalies in our program's history he's one of the best players."
 
The Plano, Texas, native played five seasons and was a four-year starter for the Knights. In 2024, he helped Bellarmine to an 8-5 record before his season was cut short after suffering a season-ending injury on April 10.
 
"Missing the last couple of games of my college career was tough, but experiencing that kind of adversity has changed me in the right ways as I step into this next chapter," Higginbotham said. "I really used it as motivation when I didn't see my name in the college draft after the season and have put it all into my training since then."
 
The PLL's Championship Series takes place February 11-17 at The St. James, a sports complex in Springfield, Va., just southweast of Washington, D.C. The event features Higginbotham's Atlas and three other teams playing in a 6-on-6 format. The teams will play a round robin to determine seeding for a single-elimination tournament to crown a champion.
 
"The Atlas are getting a tremendous competitor and I'm sure he'll make a positive impact on their organization," said Whitley.
 
Higginbotham will be a free agent following the Championship Series.
 
For more coverage of Bellarmine athletics, follow the Knights on X, Instagram and Facebook.