James Chaplin Higgins (December 25, 1918 – February 12, 2002) was an American professional basketball player. He played in the National Basketball League for the Hammond Ciesar All-Americans in one game during the 1940–41 season and scored one point. Higgins was also a minor league baseball player. He played for the Baltimore Orioles (minor league team), Federalsburg A's, Dover Orioles, Appleton Papermakers, and Vicksburg Hill Billies.