Former Folsom High star Jordan Ford says wearing Sacramento Kings uniform ‘feels special’
Jordan Ford grew up rooting for the Sacramento Kings. Now, he’s playing for them.
Ford was beaming with excitement Monday when the Kings assembled for media day festivities at Golden 1 Center. The former Folsom High School and Saint Mary’s College star was sporting the team’s newest uniform while posing for pictures and making the rounds for a series of interviews.
“It definitely feels special today putting on the uniform for the first time, the actual threads,” Ford said. “It feels great and I think it’s something that is going to be great through the whole season, just getting to know all the fans and getting to know all the great people, so I’m excited.”
The Kings recently signed Ford to a two-way contract following a solid year in the G League and a strong showing in the NBA Summer League. The two-way contract will allow the 25-year-old point guard to split time between Sacramento and G League Stockton.
How often the NBA club will need his services remains to be seen, but he is all but certain to get minutes during preseason play. The Kings will face the Toronto Raptors in their preseason opener Sunday in Vancouver. They will then play the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 11 in Anaheim before coming home to play their preseason home opener against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 15.
“I remember being in the crowd and I was the one cheering for the players, so now being on the other end of that, it’s going to be super cool,” Ford said.
Ford finished No. 2 all-time at Saint Mary’s in scoring — four points short of Matthew Dellavedova’s school record — after the 2020 NCAA season was cut short due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Ford became a two-time All-West Coast Conference First Team selection after starring at Folsom, where he was a two-time Sacramento Bee Player of the Year.
Ford played for Folsom coach Mike Wall, who will be watching proudly as his former pupil fulfills his dreams.
“Most definitely, he’ll be able to come to some games and keep tabs on me, same with my close friends and family,” Ford said. “Sometimes I’ll be able to go back to the high school and give back a little bit, so I feel like it’s a great situation for everybody.”
Ford couldn’t hide his excitement, but he wouldn’t let himself get too carried away while envisioning his Kings debut.
“I think it’s going to be a great opportunity, and my focus that night is just going to be: How can I help the team win?” Ford said. “It’s not going to be about myself. It’s going to be about the team and that will be my main goal all season, whatever I can do to help the team win, that’s what I’m going to do.”
This story was originally published October 4, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
