T.J. Ford
A lightning-fast point guard who brought Toronto its first Atlantic Division title before injuries altered his path.
via Wikipedia: T. J. Ford · see source
Terrance Jerod 'T.J.' Ford Sr., born March 24, 1983, is an American former professional basketball player renowned for his speed and playmaking. While often associated with the Toronto Raptors due to a significant trade in 2006, he established himself as a starter there before moving on. Before his NBA career, Ford was a consensus First Team All-America selection at the University of Texas, leading the nation in assists as a freshman and winning the Naismith College Player of the Year award. His professional journey included stints with the Milwaukee Bucks, where he was an eighth overall pick in 2003, and the Indiana Pacers.
- Draft Year
- 2003
- Draft Position
- 8th Overall Pick
- Primary Teams
- Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Ford's arrival in Toronto marked a turning point for the franchise. Acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Charlie Villanueva prior to the 2006–07 season, he was immediately installed as the starting point guard. Alongside Chris Bosh and backup José Calderón, Ford helped lead the Raptors to their first-ever Division title and a return to the NBA Playoffs after a five-year absence. His speed was legendary; a 2007 Sports Illustrated survey of 271 players voted him the fastest in the NBA. That season, he posted career highs with 14.0 points per game and 7.9 assists per game. He delivered clutch performances, scoring the winning basket against the Los Angeles Clippers on December 20, 2006, and equaling a franchise record with 18 assists against the New York Knicks on March 14, 2007.
In Their Own Story
The 2007–08 season brought heartbreak and controversy. On December 11, 2007, during a game against the Atlanta Hawks, Ford suffered a serious injury after a flagrant foul by Al Horford; he was conscious but unable to move before being wheeled off on a stretcher. During his absence, José Calderón surpassed him as the starter. Although Ford returned on February 4, 2008, playing off the bench, tensions rose regarding his role in the playoffs against Orlando Magic. Despite bringing the series score to 2–1 with a pivotal performance in Game 3, he was not deployed to close out games, and Toronto lost in five games. Following the season, speculation mounted about his future, leading to a trade on the eve of the 2008 NBA draft where he moved to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Jermaine O'Neal.
Reader's Guide
T.J. Ford's career was defined by elite speed and high basketball IQ, though frequently interrupted by spinal injuries. He entered the league in 2003 as an eighth overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks but missed his entire second season (2004–05) due to a spinal cord contusion sustained on February 24, 2004. After recovering under former NBA player John Lucas, he returned in November 2005 and nearly recorded a triple-double in his first game back. His tenure with the Raptors showcased his peak, culminating in an Atlantic Division crown. Later in his career, during the 2011 NBA lockout, he signed with KK Zagreb of Croatia for three games before joining the San Antonio Spurs on December 9, 2011.
Did You Know?
- Ford was the first freshman in NCAA history to lead the nation in assists (8.27 per game) during his 2001–02 season at Texas.
- He became the fourth University of Texas athlete and the first basketball player to have his #11 jersey retired by the university.
- In a 2007 Sports Illustrated survey of 271 NBA players, Ford was voted the fastest player in the league.
- Ford missed his entire 2004–05 season after suffering a spinal cord contusion while falling on his tailbone against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- He signed with KK Zagreb of Croatia during the 2011 NBA lockout, appearing in three games before joining the San Antonio Spurs.
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