It may have been the biggest news of Daniel Horton"s life, but he was the last to know.

The headliner of Tommy Amaker"s first recruiting class was invited to the McDonald"s All-American game yesterday.

He missed the initial phone call, so the selection committee informed his coach and his father before the 6-foot-3 standout point guard. But Horton didn"t mind if everyone else heard first this was his dream come true.

"This is something I have always worked for, something I"ve always dreamed about," Horton said. "This means that I will be part of history. People will look back and say I was part of the 2002 McDonald"s All-America game."

The game does, in fact, have a very rich tradition. More than 100 participants are currently playing in the NBA, including Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O"Neal and Vince Carter.

Michigan has also featured plenty of these high school phenoms during the last 25 years. In fact, the Wolverines have amassed more than any other team in the Big Ten. Horton will be the 17th player to trade in his golden arches for the maize and blue. Twelve of those Wolverines have spent time in the NBA, including Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Rumeal Robinson and Robert Traylor.

Forward LaVell Blanchard is the only former McDonald"s All-American on Michigan"s current roster.

But this recent success hasn"t changed Horton"s mindset at least not yet.

"This really hasn"t affected my game or my confidence at all," Horton said. "It really hasn"t hit me yet. I have to concentrate on the rest of my season. Maybe later on it will make a difference, but now I just have to stay focused on winning the state championship."

This season, Horton has averaged 23.2 points, 4. 6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.9 steals per game, leading Cedar Hill High School in Texas to a 30-2 overall record and a No. 10 national ranking from USA Today.

Horton, who is ranked as one of the top 10 overall players in high school by several sources, will begin his run at the state title on Friday night.

The McDonald"s All-America game will take place in New York City"s Madison Square Garden on April 4.

Roses are traded: Former Fab Five standout guard Jalen Rose will be playing ball in the Windy City.

The Indiana Pacers traded Rose, Travis Best, rookie Norman Richardson and a conditional second-round draft pick to the Chicago Bulls for Brad Miller, Ron Mercer, Ron Artest and Kevin Ollie, yesterday.

Rose was leading the Pacers in scoring for the third straight season with 18.5 points per game.

Rose"s agent, David Falk, blamed Indiana coach Isiah Thomas for the trade.

"I think (Rose is) disillusioned with his former coach," Falk told The Associated Press. "About 18 months ago, Jalen recommended Isiah as his coach. This is the way Isiah reciprocated his loyalty.

"He could have had Jalen eating out of his hands, but instead he injected petty, personal issues that drove a wedge between them. Look at his track record, like the CBA, and that"s the way he is."

Gametime: Yesterday, the Michigan Athletic Department finalized the time of the Wolverines" last Big Ten matchup of the season. The game between Ohio State and Michigan will take place at 8 p.m. on March 2 in Crisler Arena.