The Rockets officially signed Alton Ford this morning, ClutchFans has learned.
Ford, a 6-foot-9, 275-pound forward, played one season at the University of Houston and played the past two years with the Phoenix Suns. He drew Rocket interest when Maurice Taylor was lost to suspension for violating the league's substance abuse program.
Ford has always been a well-known name in Texas. He played ball at Milby High School and was the Texas High School Player of the Year in 2000. He also was selected to the McDonald's All-American game that year. He was considered a big recruiting coup by Clyde Drexler's University of Houston Cougars back then.
But after one season at UH, Ford opted to go to the NBA, considered a mistake by many. He was selected in the second round (51st overall pick) by the Phoenix Suns in the 2001 NBA Draft.
Ford played two seasons in Phoenix, but never saw much PT, averaging 2.7 points and 1.8 boards in 7.5 minutes a contest in 64 total games.
The Orlando Magic signed Ford back on September 30, but waived him three weeks later. He suffered some from a sprained ankle and ran in to some problems with fouls and free throw shooting and was released on October 20.
