Ford Selected to USA D-3 Men's Basketball Team
NEW LONDON, Conn. – Mitchell College's Joshua Ford was one of 10 NCAA Division III players selected to play for the USA D-3 Men's Basketball Team on its 2013 Brazil Tour from August 4-13.
The team is made up of selected NCAA Division III basketball players from across the USA and will be coached by Hamline University's Jim Hayes. The squad consists of players who have been recognized as All-American, All-Region and All-Conference. Ford, who is entering his senior season with the Mariners, is the only player from the Northeast region on the roster.
"It's nice to see Josh rewarded for his efforts on the court this past season," said Mitchell head coach Todd Peretz. "Being selected to represent your country, at any level, is an incredible honor. Knowing the work ethic, passion for the game and character that Josh possesses, he will be an outstanding representative of Mitchell College in this wonderful experience."
Following team orientation and practices in Orlando, the team departs for Sao Paulo, Brazil on August 5. The squad is scheduled to play four games in five days, beginning with three contests in the state of Sao Paulo against selected club teams from the region. The team then travels to Rio de Janeiro for its final game on August 10.
While in Brazil, Ford and his teammates will experience educational, cultural and social aspects of Brazilian life through school and sports club visits. While in Rio the team will be staying on the famous Copacabana Beach and touring the Christ the Redeemer Statue and Sugar Loaf Mountain, two of the most recognizable landmarks in the world.
Ford is coming off one of the best seasons in Mitchell's DIII history. He was named the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Player of the Year and repeated as an All-NECC First Team selection. He was the first Mitchell men's basketball player to be named player of the year and was also the first junior to win the award in the conference's history.
Ford started and played in 2012-13 and racked up big numbers. He was one of only two players in the nation to rank among the top 10 in Division III in both scoring (22.3 ppg) and rebounding (11.0 rpg), and he also finished fourth in the country in field goal percentage (.642). His 580 points ranked second in the school's Division III single season history while his 286 rebounds topped the single season record he set last season (269).
In NECC play, Ford led the league in shooting at 63 percent and averaged 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game in conference play. A complete player, he ranked among the top five in the conference in scoring (2nd), rebounding (3rd), assists (2nd), steals (3rd), blocks (3rd), field goals (1st), field goal percentage (1st), free throws (2nd), minutes (4th) and assist-to-turnover ratio (5th). He scored in double figures in 15 of 16 NECC contests and recorded nine double-doubles.
Ford led Mitchell (14-12 overall, 9-7 NECC) to its best season since joining the DIII ranks. The Mariners qualified for the NECC Championship as the fourth seed and picked up their first-ever NECC postseason victory by a 77-75 final over Becker College in the first round. Mitchell advanced to the semifinals and nearly upset top-seeded Elms College before being eliminated in an 80-78 final.
2013 USA D-3 Men's Basketball Team – Brazil Tour
7'0" – Bronson Byrne – U. Wisconsin-Superior (WI)
6'4" – Joshua Ford – Mitchell (CT)
6'1" – Dylan Kilgour – Macalester (MN)
6'7" – Seth Light – Coe (IA)
5'9" – Ryan Milne – Colorado College (CO)
6'7" – Conner Nord – St. Thomas (MN)
6'0" – Jade Royston – U. Wisconsin-Oshkosh (WI)
6'6" – Kyle Schleigh – U. Texas-Dallas (TX)
6'7" – Ollie White – U. Wisconsin-River Falls (WI)
6'0" – Andrew Wirth – Coe (IA)
USA D-3 Men's Basketball Head Coach – Jim Hayes – Hamline
Assistant Coach – Jeff Berkhof – U. Wisconsin-River Falls
Tour Game Schedule
August 6 - USA Men vs. Jundiai
August 7 - USA Men vs. Santo Andre
August 8 - USA Men vs. Sao Jose Rio Preto
August 10 - USA Men vs. The Legends Select