T.J. FORD
Position: Point Guard
Height: 5-10
Weight: 165 lbs.
College: Texas University
Declared after: Sophomore Year
Birthdate: March 24, 1983
Birthplace: Dallas, Texas

HIS GAME
Pros: A very quick point guard known for his court-vision. Has a knack for knowing where and when to pass the ball. Rarely commits a turnover. Excellent leader and a winner at all levels of basketball. Is untouchable in the open floor with his speed. Was 75-1 over last two years of high school and Led Texas University to a Final Four berth in 2003 where they lost to eventual champion Syracuse. Averaged 15 ppg, 7.7 apg, 2 spg, 40.1% FG, 26.5% 3FG, 82% FT at Texas.

Cons: Biggest perceived weakness is his size. Will need to bulk up considerably to handle himself on the defensive end against larger, more experienced point guards. Needs to improve his jump shooting and his point-guard skills. Only played two years of college ball so his mental approach and basketball IQ will take time to develop.

ACCOLADES
  • Named National Freshman of the Year and Big 12 Freshman of the year in 2001-02
  • Became the first freshman in NCAA history to lead the nation in assists (8.27 apg)
  • Became the first male player in University of Texas history to win the Naismith Player of the Year award in 2002- 03
  • Also won Wooden Award as College Player of the Year
  • Named National Player of the Year by Sports Illustrated, ESPN.com, CBS SportsLine and The Sporting News
  • Consensus first-team All-America
  • Ranks second on Texas’ all-time career assist list (514)

    PLAYING CAREER AT TEXAS UNIVERSITY
  • Set the Texas U. freshman single-game assists record in his collegiate debut, recording 14 against Arizona
  • Scored a career high 32 points (8-of-16 FG, 15-of-19 FT) on Feb. 22, 2003 game at No. 16 Oklahoma State
  • Set a Texas school record for most assists in a NCAA tournament game with 11 during the NCAA First Round victory against UNC Asheville (Mar. 21) 2003
  • Named the NCAA South Region Most Outstanding Player, averaging 16.0 ppg and 9.5 apg
  • Led Texas to the Final Four in his sophomore season

    All the experts are touting T.J. as a top-five pick. (NBAE/Getty Images)
    SEASON HIGHS
  • Points: 32, Oklahoma St., 2/22/03
  • Field Goals: 10, 11/15/02
  • Field Goal Attempts: 23, 1/27/03
  • Field Goal Pct: .636, (7-11), Texas Tech 2/17/03
  • 3-Pt Field Goals: 2, twice,
  • 3-Pt Field Goal Att. : 6, Georgia, (2-6), 11/15/02
  • 3-Point FG Pct. : .500, twice,
  • Free Throws: 15, Oklahoma St. (15-19), 2/22/03
  • Free Throw Attempts: 19, Oklahoma St. (15-19), 2/22/03
  • Free Throw Pct. : 1.000, nine times
  • Rebounds: 13, Syracuse, 4/5/03
  • Assists: 13, Syracuse, 4/5/03
  • Blocked Shots: 1, five times
  • Steals: 4, NC State, 2/12/03

    AT WILLOWRIDGE HIGH
  • T.J. attended Willowridge High School in Sugar Land, Texas
  • Won the highschool title with Willowridge in 2001
  • Played in the McDonald’s High School All-American game in 2001
  • Second-team All-America choice by Parade Magazine and USA Today
  • Player of the Year in the state of Texas following his senior season
  • Averaged 12 points, 9.4 assists and 7.8 steals while leading Willowridge to a 39-0 overall record, the Class 5A state title and a final national ranking of No. 2 in his senior campaign
  • Finished his high-school career on a 62-game winning streak.

    PERSONAL
  • Full name is Terrance Jerod Ford
  • Parents are Leo and Mary Ford
  • His mother gave him the nickname “T.J.” at birth
  • Born March 24, 1983 in Baytown, Texas
  • Was majoring in education before declaring for the NBA Draft