Phil Ford attended the University of North Carolina and in the 1976 Olympics played for his college coach, Dean Smith, also of UNC. Ford was a college superstar, making various All-America teams in each of his last seasons. At 6-2 (1.88) he was small for an NBA guard but he was whippet-quick, and although a good scorer, he made his mark as a playmaker. He proved his size was no handicap when, playing for the Kansas City Kings, he was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 1979, as well as making the NBA All-Rookie Team and being selected a second team NBA All-Star. Ford played in the NBA thru 1985, with Kansas City, New Jersey, Milwaukee, and finishing his career in Houston. He averaged over 6 assists/game for his career. Ford returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach but his efforts to become a head coach were derailed by some personal struggles with alcohol. He eventually became an administrator at UNC.
United States