Bryce Ford joined the Rockets' starting lineup in January and is averaging 7.7 ppg.
Rocket Spotlight On Bryce Ford
2/21/2025 2:50:00 PM | Men's Basketball
On growing up in an athletic family, skateboarding and seeing snow for the first time
Bryce Ford is a sophomore guard from Scottsdale, Ariz. A media communication major, Ford joined the Rockets' starting lineup in January and is averaging 7.7 ppg with a 40.5 three-point FG% and team-high 89.7 FT% this season.
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On the sports he played growing up
I played baseball until middle school. I was going to play it in high school but decided to just focus on basketball. I also played football when I was little but stopped playing it around fifth grade.
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On having a father a who played college basketball (San Diego State), a brother who played college football (Arkansas) and a sister who played college volleyball (USC/Arizona State)
It really impacted me because I grew up in sports. That's all I really knew. I was born and raised in Laguna Beach until we moved to Arizona when I was in seventh grade. I would always go to the gym with my brother and sister growing up and be in the stands at about 6:00 am. I would always want to just go out and run with them and work out with them.
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On his father's role in his basketball career
He really impacted me a lot. He put the ball in my hands at an early age, but he really let me pick what sport I wanted to play. At the end of the day, I kind of knew it was going to be basketball. He taught me how to shoot and dribble and his love of the game kind of grew on me. I always spent time with him late at night watching basketball.
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On the adjustment to college and being a long way from home
It actually went smooth and made me grow up way faster. It was my first time being away from home. I feel like the brotherhood here and our relationship with the coaches and staff helped a lot. They just take really good care of us and it feels like a second family.
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On getting used to winters in Toledo
It's different for sure. It was hard at the start, but now I have all the gear and stuff so it's pretty easy. It was different when I saw snow for the first time. I think it's super cool when everything outside is white.
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On when he thought he was good enough to play college basketball
I think it was my freshman year of high school. I wasn't really taking it too seriously before that. I was like, I'm kind of good at this. That was also the COVID year when I was in the gym every day. I grew into a different beast that summer and that's when I really got my name out in Arizona. I started getting some offers in my senior year and I began to think that I can take this somewhere.
Â
On his decision to come to Toledo
 It was later in my senior year. I had an eight-game stretch of 30 points or more and Toledo was probably my third offer. I kind of knew I was coming here because of the success of the guards in the past. I knew Coach K would have a good plan for me. I came on a visit and committed on the spot. I loved it here after seeing the facility and meeting the guys.
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On interests outside of basketball
I play video games a lot, but I'd say just hanging out with friends and teammates. I like skateboarding too and do that in the summer. Nyjah Houston has my favorite skateboarder for a long time.
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On his biggest adjustment to college basketball
 I would say the speed of the game and the toughness and aggressiveness it's played with. My freshman year my body wasn't quite right. I was kind of light and that was something I had to work at. I had to work on getting stronger, more explosive, faster and having to mold that into my game more. I've tried to get down hill with my right hand more and improving my mid-range game this season.
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On players he's modeled his game after
 I'd like to say Devin Booker and Jalen Brunson. I like Jalen Brunson because he's left-handed and a small guard that likes to get to the rim, use his body, and can make the three with a good midrange game. I like Devin Booker because he's always just a dog.
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On plans after basketball
 I like the broadcasting and podcasting area. A lot of former NBA and other pro players are now doing that and talking about the game, their experiences and educating kids about the game. I just want to be around sports and could see myself being a basketball trainer too.
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On the sports he played growing up
I played baseball until middle school. I was going to play it in high school but decided to just focus on basketball. I also played football when I was little but stopped playing it around fifth grade.
Â
On having a father a who played college basketball (San Diego State), a brother who played college football (Arkansas) and a sister who played college volleyball (USC/Arizona State)
It really impacted me because I grew up in sports. That's all I really knew. I was born and raised in Laguna Beach until we moved to Arizona when I was in seventh grade. I would always go to the gym with my brother and sister growing up and be in the stands at about 6:00 am. I would always want to just go out and run with them and work out with them.
 Â
On his father's role in his basketball career
He really impacted me a lot. He put the ball in my hands at an early age, but he really let me pick what sport I wanted to play. At the end of the day, I kind of knew it was going to be basketball. He taught me how to shoot and dribble and his love of the game kind of grew on me. I always spent time with him late at night watching basketball.
Â
On the adjustment to college and being a long way from home
It actually went smooth and made me grow up way faster. It was my first time being away from home. I feel like the brotherhood here and our relationship with the coaches and staff helped a lot. They just take really good care of us and it feels like a second family.
Â
On getting used to winters in Toledo
It's different for sure. It was hard at the start, but now I have all the gear and stuff so it's pretty easy. It was different when I saw snow for the first time. I think it's super cool when everything outside is white.
Â
On when he thought he was good enough to play college basketball
I think it was my freshman year of high school. I wasn't really taking it too seriously before that. I was like, I'm kind of good at this. That was also the COVID year when I was in the gym every day. I grew into a different beast that summer and that's when I really got my name out in Arizona. I started getting some offers in my senior year and I began to think that I can take this somewhere.
Â
On his decision to come to Toledo
 It was later in my senior year. I had an eight-game stretch of 30 points or more and Toledo was probably my third offer. I kind of knew I was coming here because of the success of the guards in the past. I knew Coach K would have a good plan for me. I came on a visit and committed on the spot. I loved it here after seeing the facility and meeting the guys.
Â
On interests outside of basketball
I play video games a lot, but I'd say just hanging out with friends and teammates. I like skateboarding too and do that in the summer. Nyjah Houston has my favorite skateboarder for a long time.
Â
On his biggest adjustment to college basketball
 I would say the speed of the game and the toughness and aggressiveness it's played with. My freshman year my body wasn't quite right. I was kind of light and that was something I had to work at. I had to work on getting stronger, more explosive, faster and having to mold that into my game more. I've tried to get down hill with my right hand more and improving my mid-range game this season.
Â
On players he's modeled his game after
 I'd like to say Devin Booker and Jalen Brunson. I like Jalen Brunson because he's left-handed and a small guard that likes to get to the rim, use his body, and can make the three with a good midrange game. I like Devin Booker because he's always just a dog.
Â
On plans after basketball
 I like the broadcasting and podcasting area. A lot of former NBA and other pro players are now doing that and talking about the game, their experiences and educating kids about the game. I just want to be around sports and could see myself being a basketball trainer too.
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