RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball head coach Jeff Neubauer announced today that high school senior Rodney Ford has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Colonels next season.

Ford, a 6-4 guard from Affton High School in St. Louis, Mo., led the Cougars to a 20-8 record this past winter while averaging 18.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game. In each of the last two seasons, Ford has led the St. Louis area in total assists. For his high school career, Ford reached the 1,000-point plateau while also accumulating more than 500 rebounds and assists.

Ford played for head coach Tim Knox while at Affton High. The guard earned numerous accolades in 2006-07 including Suburban East Player of the Year, second team all-state by the Sports Writers Association and third team all-metro by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Ford is the second player to sign with EKU this school year. Earlier in the season, the Colonels signed 6-6 guard/forward Justin Stommes out of Rocori High School in Cold Spring, Minn.

The Colonels finished the 2006-07 campaign by winning the OVC Tournament and earning a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in the last three seasons. Eastern Kentucky compiled a 21-12 record this past winter while tying a program record with 13 conference victories.