With his former team in the locker room, potential Longhorn LaMarcus Aldridge - the sixth best player in the country according to Insidehoops.com - in the stands and a capacity crowd at the Frank Erwin Center, T.J. Ford took center court at halftime to receive an honor yet to be bestowed on any other Texas basketball player.
On the west rafters of the Erwin Center, a navy sheet was raised to the chants of "T.J." and the tears from the man being honored to reveal Ford's No. 11 banner. Ford was presented his white Texas jersey by UT Athletics Director DeLoss Dodds during the honor ceremony.
Ford, who played two years with the Longhorns before being selected the eighth overall pick in the NBA draft by Milwaukee, thanked his family, his former teammates and the fans for his success at Texas. He also extended a special thanks to Texas head coach Rick Barnes.
"During the time period [Barnes] recruited me, we had the same dream - having a legacy," Ford said to the crowd. "This is the place I'll always call home."
When Barnes recruited the Houston-native, the two talked about changing the face of Texas basketball, and in Ford's two years as a Longhorn, he did exactly that. During his sophomore campaign, Ford led the Longhorns to their first Final Four since 1947. His performance on the basketball court earned him the Wooden and Naismith awards for the national player of the year.
During his freshman season, Ford became the first freshman in NCAA history to lead the nation in assists as he guided the Longhorns to the Sweet 16.
"I'm excited for him, because a dream came true," Barnes said. "He deserves it. He really does."
Ford also has become the "ambassador" of Texas basketball. He not only continues to talk to members of the Longhorn team, especially Royal Ivey and former high school teammate Kenny Taylor, but Ford has also aided the Longhorns in recruiting. Ford spoke to fellow Houstonian Daniel Gibson, who is ranked as the seventh-best high school prospect in the nation by InsideHoops.com.
The Milwaukee Bucks' rookie's return to Austin came at a fitting time. Ford was instrumental to Texas' sweep of the Oklahoma Sooners last year in league play. In Texas' 67-61 home win over the Sooners on Feb. 10, 2003, Ford had eight points, dished out seven assists and stepped up his defense on Oklahoma senior Hollis Price to propel Texas to the win.
At Oklahoma last year on March 8, Ford spoiled Price's senior day celebration by tallying 14 of his team-high 18 points in the second half to rally the Longhorns back from a 15-point deficit. His fadeaway jumper with 20 seconds left gave the Longhorns a three-point lead and sealed then-No. 4 Texas' win over No. 5 Oklahoma.
Ford became the fourth athlete in the University's history to have his number retired. Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams were both bestowed the honor in football and Roger Clemens' No. 21 now hangs at Disch-Falk Field.
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