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Sacramento Kings: 25 Best Players To Play For The Kings

By Phil Watson

Apr 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; DJ Mixmaster Mike performs during half time of the game between the Sacramento Kings and Oklahoma City Thunder at Sleep Train Arena. The Kings won 114-112. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; DJ Mixmaster Mike performs during half time of the game between the Sacramento Kings and Oklahoma City Thunder at Sleep Train Arena. The Kings won 114-112. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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NEW YORK - CIRCA 1981: Phil Ford #1 of the Kansas City Kings dribbles the ball against the New York Knicks during an NBA basketball game circa 1981 at Madison Square Garden in the Manhattan borough of New York City. Ford played for the Kings from 1978-82. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Phil Ford
NEW YORK – CIRCA 1981: Phil Ford #1 of the Kansas City Kings dribbles the ball against the New York Knicks during an NBA basketball game circa 1981 at Madison Square Garden in the Manhattan borough of New York City. Ford played for the Kings from 1978-82. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Phil Ford /

1978-82. Phil Ford. 23. player. 67. <strong>How acquired: </strong>2nd overall pick from North Carolina, 1978 NBA Draft.. PG

Phil Ford had earned the Wooden Award as a senior at North Carolina, averaging almost 21 points a game, and the Kansas City Kings made Ford the second overall pick in the 1978 NBA Draft.

Ford made an immediate impact, earning Rookie of the Year honors as well as an All-NBA nod while finishing fourth in the NBA in assists and fifth in steals.

SAC_23_FORD
SAC_23_FORD /

On Feb. 21, 1979, Ford tied a franchise single-game record with 22 assists against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Ford went on to finish third in the league in assists in 1980-81.

But an injury to his left eye when he was hit by a stray thumb from World B. Free of the Golden State Warriors never quite healed right and he was plagued by double vision at times afterward.

In June 1982, the Kings traded Ford to the New Jersey Nets in a straight-up deal for Ray Williams.

In four seasons with Kansas City, Ford averaged 14.9 points, 7.8 assists, two rebounds and 1.6 steals in 32.1 minutes per game, shooting .463/.242/.820.

Ford was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in November 1982 and signed as a veteran free agent with the Houston Rockets in October 1983.

Waived by the Rockets in December 1984, he joined the team as a scout before getting a final comeback bid with the Warriors in September 1986. He was waived the following month before the start of the season and retired.

His average of 6.4 assists per game is 42nd in NBA history.

He now works as a fundraiser for the University of North Carolina athletic department after stints as an assistant coach with the New York Knicks and Charlotte Bobcats.

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