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3/27/2009 - MEN'S BASKETBALL
From a Car Factory to the Big Dance ESPN.com
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Photo by Scott Powers, ESPN
Kevin Tiggs thought he had it made working in a car factory in Flint, Mich. as a 19-year-old. He was set for life.
He had just graduated from Flint Northern High School. It was the same school that had produced Mateen Cleaves and a number of other future NCAA players, but no one at the time was predicting Tiggs would follow in their footsteps. It was nearly unthinkable that a few years later, he'd be headed to the NCAA Tournament after averaging 21.5 points this season, good for 17th in the country. But Kevin Tiggs, and his story, are unique.
His basketball reputation had been built on the streets. He suited up for one high school season and was nothing more than a role player off the bench. It appeared as if Flint Northern would be the end of his organized playing days—along with his education. He had no interest in pursuing a college degree, instead landing a position at a local factory where he repaired and cleaned car bumpers for 10 hours a day. He didn't mind the work; he actually enjoyed it.
"I was making $600-700 a week," Tiggs said. "Just getting out of high school, that's amazing. I just packed my lunch. I didn't mind it. I liked it. If it was still there, I can't say I'd be here. It's real strange."
That it is. If that factory hadn't shut down, Tiggs may never have enrolled at Mott Community College in Flint, joined the basketball team, become the Division II National Player of the Year, signed with East Tennessee State and now be headed to the NCAAs after the Buccaneers won the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament.
"I remember sitting back and watching the NCAA Tournament four or five years ago," Tiggs said. "Now, I'm going to play in one. I thank God every day. That's amazing."
Tiggs' college basketball journey began when his cousin asked him if he was ready to return to school after the factory had closed. He was, and she showed him how to sign up for classes. At that point, he still had no plans of playing college ball.
</p> Article by Scott PowersESPN the Magazine
