Ayrton Oneill
Frank Ford, a basketball player for Auburn University, died at the age of 53 in 2018. Ford played for the Auburn Tigers from 1983 to 1987 and was known for his hard work and physicality on the court. He was also a talented scorer and helped lead Auburn to the NCAA Tournament during his time with the team. Ford's cause of death was not disclosed, but it was reported that he died after a long illness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | 22nd December 2018 |
| Age | 53 |
| Cause of Death | Long illness |
| Place of Death | Florida, USA |
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What You'll Learn
Frank Ford's death was announced on 22 December 2018
Frank Ford, a basketball player and coach, died at the age of 53 on Friday, 21 December 2018. His death was announced on 22 December 2018.
Ford played for Auburn Tigers from 1983-1987, starting a school-record 127 consecutive games. He was a 6-foot-4-inch guard, known for his hard work and physicality. He was also a big-time scorer, helping Auburn advance to the Elite Eight in 1986. In his senior year, he earned All-SEC honours and was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1987.
After his playing career, Ford became a coach. He was an assistant coach at Virginia Commonwealth, where he was known for his ability to lead and mentor players.
Ford's death was announced on social media by Auburn Basketball on Twitter, who offered their deepest sympathies to his family and friends. The cause of his death was not disclosed, but it was mentioned that he had been battling a long illness prior to his passing.
The news of Ford's death sparked an outpouring of memories and tributes from those who knew him. Many recalled his talent and work ethic on the court, as well as his friendly and approachable nature off the court. He was remembered as a great player and coach who made a significant impact on Auburn's basketball programme.
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He died at the age of 53
Frank Ford, a basketball player for Auburn University, died at the age of 53. Ford was a guard for the Auburn Tigers from 1983-1987 and was known as a "hard-working, physical guard". During his time with the Tigers, he helped lead the team to the NCAA Tournament each year and started a school-record 127 consecutive games.
After his time at Auburn, Ford was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the sixth round of the 1987 NBA draft. He was the last player cut at training camp. He went on to play professionally overseas and in the 6-5 and under World Basketball League.
Ford's former coach, Smith, remembered him as "one of the best players I ever coached". Smith also noted that Ford was a "coach on the floor", demonstrating leadership and a deep understanding of the game.
Frank Ford died on a Friday after a long illness at his home in Florida. His death was announced on December 22, 2018, and he was mourned by the Auburn community and those who knew him.
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He played for Auburn Tigers from 1983-1987
Frank Ford, a former Auburn Tigers basketball player, died in 2018 after a long illness at his home in Florida. During his time at Auburn University, where he played for the Tigers from 1983 to 1987, Ford established himself as one of the team's standout players.
Ford joined the Auburn Tigers as a freshman in 1983, already with an impressive basketball résumé. That year, he was named Florida's first Mr. Basketball and Auburn's first McDonald's All-American. As a 6-foot-4-inch guard, Ford was a big-time scorer who helped lead the Tigers to numerous victories during his four years on the team.
In 1984, Ford and fellow freshman Gerald White helped the Tigers advance to the NCAA Tournament for the first time. In 1986, Ford's talent and leadership on the court helped Auburn advance to the Elite Eight. That same year, he earned All-SEC honours.
Ford started a school-record 127 consecutive games during his time at Auburn, averaging 10.8 points per game. By the end of his college career, he had accumulated 1,389 points, ranking him 14th on Auburn's all-time scoring list. His impressive performance on the court caught the attention of professional scouts, and in 1987, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the sixth round of the NBA draft.
Ford's former coach, Sonny Smith, described him as "one of the best players I ever coached". Smith also noted that Ford was a "coach on the floor", demonstrating his leadership qualities and basketball acumen. Ford's impact on the Auburn Tigers was significant, and he left a lasting legacy as one of the program's greats.
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He was Florida's first Mr. Basketball in 1983
Frank Ford, an Auburn Tigers basketball legend, passed away at his home in Florida in 2018 after a long illness. He was 53. Ford played for the Tigers from 1983 to 1987 and was an exceptional player and leader. He was also Florida's first Mr. Basketball in 1983, an award given annually to the best high school boys basketball player in the state.
Ford was a talented scorer and an even better teammate. He was recruited by many but chose Auburn because he liked the atmosphere. His old-school coach, Sonny Smith, described him as a "coach on the floor". Ford's ability to lead and bring people together was evident in how he adapted his game to those around him, making everyone better. He was instrumental in Auburn's success, helping the team advance to the Elite Eight in 1986 and earning All-SEC honours as a senior that same year.
Ford started a school-record 127 consecutive games, averaging 10.8 points per game over his career. He ranks 14th on Auburn's all-time scoring list with 1,389 points. His performance led to him being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the sixth round of the 1987 NBA draft. Although he was the last player cut at training camp, he went on to play professionally overseas and in the 6-5 and under World Basketball League before transitioning into coaching.
Frank Ford's legacy as one of Auburn's finest is remembered fondly, and his impact on the team and the sport is undeniable. His achievements as Florida's first Mr. Basketball in 1983 set the stage for a brilliant career and a life dedicated to basketball.
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He was Auburn's first McDonald's All-American
Frank Ford, an Auburn Tigers basketball legend, passed away in 2018 after a long illness. He was 53. Ford played for Auburn from 1983 to 1987 and was the first McDonald's All-American in the university's history.
Ford was a highly-touted high school senior in 1983. That year, he was named Florida's first Mr. Basketball and was recruited by numerous colleges. He chose Auburn because he liked the atmosphere and was drawn to coach Sonny Smith's old-school coaching style.
At Auburn, Ford was a four-year starter and a natural leader. He helped lead the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament in each of his four seasons, starting a school-record 127 consecutive games. He averaged 10.8 points per game for his career, ranking him 14th on Auburn's all-time scoring list with 1,389 points.
Ford's impact extended beyond his scoring prowess. He was known for his selflessness and ability to make his teammates better. He was a coach on the floor, adjusting his game to fit the team's needs. His passing and playmaking abilities were instrumental in Auburn's success, including their run to the Elite Eight in 1986.
Following his stellar college career, Ford was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the sixth round of the 1987 NBA Draft. He was the last player cut during training camp and went on to play professionally overseas and in the 6-5 and under World Basketball League.
Ford's legacy at Auburn is that of a true great. He embodied the spirit of Auburn basketball and left an indelible mark on the program. His passing was mourned by the Auburn community, with coach Smith calling him "one of the best players I ever coached."
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Frequently asked questions
Frank Ford passed away on December 22, 2018.
Frank Ford died after a long illness at his home in Florida.
Frank Ford was a highly recruited basketball player for Auburn, known for his scoring ability and work ethic. He helped lead Auburn to the NCAA Tournament and was a starter for four seasons. He is remembered as "one of the very best" players in Auburn history.
Sonny Smith, who coached Ford at Auburn, said, "He was an Auburn man through and through... He's one of the best players I ever coached. A coach will talk about people who are coaches on the floor – he was definitely a coach on the floor."
