Flint-Stone, Part II: The Kevin Tiggs Story

East Tennessee State's Kevin Tiggs came from Flint Northern, just like Mateen Cleaves and some other MSU studs. His path to the Dance was quite different, though.

Courtesy Scott Powers

Kevin Tiggs goes after a loose ball.

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.

"I've been a head coach for 12 years, and I'm not sure I've had one like him."

Then one day, walking the halls of Mott, Tiggs noticed a student wearing basketball gear. Tiggs was curious of where he was headed and followed him into a gym. Before long, Tiggs was part of a run.

"I'm on the court and doing them bad," Tiggs said. "The coach saw me and asked if I was enrolled there. The next thing I know I'm on the squad."

With his playground basketball background, Tiggs was undisciplined, but certainly had talent. He was a 6-foot-4 forward with a good scoring touch. By his sophomore year, he was nearly unstoppable. He averaged 18.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists while leading Mott to a Division II national championship and earning himself national player of the year honors.

East Tennessee State felt fortunate to receive his commitment. When he arrived on campus, Buccaneers coach Murry Bartow realized the best way to use Tiggs was to give him as much slack on the court as possible.

"I call him a baller," Bartow said. "You really can't put a position on him. He's not a true 3. He's not a true 4. He's a baller. You just throw him out there. He can slither around people. He now can shoot the 3. He can score in a lot of ways. You just give him the ball and tell him to get us points."

He has fulfilled that mission on many nights. He had 31 at Marshall on Dec. 2. He had 31 at Appalachian State on Dec. 13. Four days later, he put 32 on Tennessee-Chattanooga. He dropped 32 on USC Upstate on Feb. 19. He scored a career-high 37 points against Stetson in the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament. He averaged 21.5 points this season, good for 17th in the country.

While his scoring ability has impressed Bartow over the last two seasons, it's been Tiggs' personality that has overwhelmed him. Despite losing his mother at 18 and father at 19, Tiggs, now 24, has never shown any signs of unhappiness. He carries a smile and an upbeat attitude whether he's working in a car factory or playing for East Tennessee State.

"I've been a head coach for 12 years, and I'm not sure I've had one like him," Bartow said. "Kevin is the happiest darn kid I've ever been around. Some kids think they're down and out. He has a lot to be unhappy about if he wanted to be. His mother passed away. His father passed away. He chooses not to be (unhappy)."

The reason is simple.

"I always say it could be worse," Tiggs said. "I'm going to live every day like it's going to be my last."

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