University of Houston forward Alton Ford became the Suns' fourth consecutive early entry pick (Jake Tsakalidis, '00; Shawn Marion, '99; Stephen Jackson, '97) when he was tabbed in the second round (51st overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft ... Ford played only one year collegiately at Houston, averaging 10.8 points and 5.9 rebounds, after he was a finalist for the Naismith High School Player of the Year award... Known for his tremendous strength and toughness, Ford demonstrated his power at a pre-draft camp in Chicago when the 6-9, 275-pound forward bench pressed 185 pounds 21 times.

2002-03:
Appeared in 11 games and averaged 0.6 points and 0.5 rebounds in 2.8 minutes per game.

2001-02:
Completed his rookie season with 53 appearances and scored in 36 of those games... Finished the season strong with 5.6 points, .492 shooting from the field and .833 at the foul line, 2.9 rebounds in 13.2 minutes over the final 16 games... Tallied 10-plus points five times, all in his last 25 appearances of the season... Set season high in points for second-straight game with 14 points (7-10 FG) vs. Detroit on March 21 and added three blocks in 19 minutes... Had eight points and season-high 10 rebounds vs. Golden State on Feb. 1... Scored 11 points in 13 minutes vs. Lakers on March 27... In pro debut had four points, two rebounds in seven minutes vs. Denver in season opener on Oct. 30… Selected by Phoenix with the 51st overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft.

COLLEGE:
Ford was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team and the Fourth-Team All-NCAA Freshman team by the Bob Gibbons All-Star Report after playing in 26 games, including 18 starts for the Cougars as a freshman... He started the final seven games of the season and led the Cougars in scoring and rebounding during four of those contests... Ford ranked third among team leaders in scoring and rebounding with 10.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game... His scoring average ranks seventh on Houston's all-time freshman list and his 5.9 rebounds ranks fifth... He recorded his second double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds against Saint Louis in the OCG Conference USA Tournament... Ford's first double-double came against LSU when he scored 17 points and grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds... He scored in double figures 14 times... Ford led Houston with a career-high 24 points against Tulane in the final regular season game... He led the Cougars with a career-high four blocked shots against Saint Louis.

HIGH SCHOOL:
A McDonald's All-American, Ford averaged 23.5 points, 15.4 rebounds and 2.8 blocked shots per game as a senior and was a finalist for the Naismith High School boy's basketball Player-of-the-Year award... Ford was ranked among the nation's top 10 recruits by ESPN and Fans Only, and was listed among the top 11 high school recruits by Van Coleman's Future Stars and Basketball News... The Sporting News also listed him as the best senior post player and 13th best overall recruit... The Texas High School Player of the Year in 1999-2000 ended his high school career as the first four-year starter at Houston's Milby High School... Ford owns Milby's career records in scoring (2,162 pts), rebounding (1,381) and blocked shots (268)... He earned Parade Magazine All-America honors as a junior, averaging 22 points, 12 rebounds and 3.1 blocks in 1998-99.

Full name is Alton Ford Jr.

Has an older sister Anita

Enjoys playing video games, fishing and collecting basketball cards

Owns seven pitbulls in Houston

Models his game after Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone

Nickname is Bud

Ranked as the best senior high school post player and 13th best overall recruit by The Sporting News

Owns Milby High School records in scoring (2,162), rebounds (1,381) and blocks (268)

Named Texas High School Player of the Year and a McDonald's All-American after averaging 23.5 points, 15.4 rebounds and 2.8 blocks as a senior

Was also a finalst for the Naismith High School Player of the Year Award

Has followed all of the Texas sports teams from college and pro from childhood to present

Considers his uncle Darriel Shelton as his mentor on and off the court

Has a naturally muscular physique with no weight training during high school or college