Despite offers from other schools,Michael Milton,, a shifty 6-foot-6, 185 pound swingman from Plano (TX) HS has decided to go a different direction for

college. Milton has chosen to walk-on his freshman year at Texas Tech.

But make no mistake; Milton is not a kid who will be chained to the bench as a

twelfth man.

"He's not your typical walk-on," said Plano head coach Tom Inman.

The MVP in his district over Illinois signee Warren Carter, Milton averaged

21.9 points and 6.5 rebounds as a senior. In fact, if it were not for the

NCAA's 5/8 scholarship rule, Milton would have received a scholarship from

Texas Tech (which, despite the rule, has open scholarships with the transfers

of Nathan Doudney and Mickey Michalec, and with the possible exit of Andre

Emmett to the NBA). But because the Red Raiders already signed five players

for 2003-04, they are over the limit for this year. However, Milton has gotten

assurances that he will receive a scholarship in 2004-05 if he earns it. His

high school coach has no doubts that he will.

"He will work his butt off," said Inman.

While Milton had offers in place from William & Mary and SMU, he just couldn't

pass up the chance to be in Lubbock. And while it's close to home in the

Dallas/Ft. Worth area, it's just far enough away according to Inman.

"He wants to play for Bobby Knight and in the Big 12," he said. "It's really

going to be a good marriage. It's a perfect fit."

Jed Tai is a senior writer at Hoopville.com.