Arkansas State men’s basketball head coach Bryan Hodgson announced Monday the addition of Arkansas transfer Derrian Ford to the 2023-24 roster. Ford will have three years of eligibility remaining.
“We are so excited to welcome Derrian and the Ford's to the Red Wolves family,” said Hodgson. “Derrrian brings that level of competitiveness and toughness that we were looking to add to our roster at the combo guard spot. The future is bright for Derrian, as he is a relentless worker, a great person, and a leader. All of these characteristics combined with his basketball skillset make him a huge addition to our program. We are so thankful to keep another young man from Arkansas in state, especially one of his caliber.”
Ford, a Magnolia, Ark., native, played his freshman season at Arkansas, appearing in 21 games. He scored 15 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out eight assists. In 80 minutes played, Ford shot 40 percent (4-10) from the floor and 7-of-8 (.875) at the charity stripe. Named to the SEC Community Service team, Ford made the Dean’s List and Honor Roll in the fall.
A two-time Gatorade Arkansas Player of the Year and a McDonald’s All-American Nominee, Ford was a four-star recruit out of Magnolia High School. He was a two-time Class 4A Player of the Year by the Arkansas Basketball Coaches Association and a two-time Arkansas Democrat-Gazette First Team All-Arkansas Preps (all divisions) honoree.
Ford helped lead the Panthers to three Class 4A state titles in four years and 102 wins in his career. He was the 4A State Tournament MVP three times. He averaged 23.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists as a senior leading Magnolia to a perfect 30-0 record and was named 4A State Tournament MVP scoring 29 in the title game. As a junior, Ford averaged 23.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists as the Panthers posted a 23-1 record and advanced to the semifinals of the state tournament.
In the 2022 recruiting class, Ford was rated the No. 3 player in the state of Arkansas by ESPN. He was rated No. 66 nationally by SI99 All-American, No. 78 nationally by Rivals.
Ford joins transfers LaQuill Hardnett (Buffalo), Dyondre Dominguez (UMass) and Freddy Hicks (Tarleton State) as additions to the 2023-24 roster for head coach Bryan Hodgson.
