“Very few players are as chiseled and powerful as Derrian Ford. He’s a hard dunker and driver who rebounds on both ends. With his aggressive style he generates trips to the free throw line and he’s a capable outside shooter, too.”

Paul Biancardi

ESPN Basketball

Athletic Excellence

The 6-foot-4, 203-pound senior guard had led the Panthers to a 28-0 record and the Class 4A state championship game at the time of his selection. The state’s returning Gatorade Boys Basketball Player of the Year, Ford averaged 23.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.7 steals through 28 games. A four-time All-State honoree, three-time Conference Player of the Year, and two-time state tournament MVP, he was also a First Team All-Arkansas Preps selection as a junior.

Academic Achievement

Ford has maintained a 4.0 GPA in the classroom. He has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball on scholarship at the University of Arkansas this fall.

Exemplary Character

A devoted member of his church community, Ford has served as an elementary school mentor and has volunteered locally on behalf of the Special Olympics and the Make-a-Wish Foundation.