Anonda Ford is a senior on the University Academy Lady Gryphons’ basketball team. Ford is number zero and mainly plays the strong forward position, but she plays all the other positions, as well.
From a very young age, Ford gravitated toward basketball. She said she always kept a ball in her hand and liked to play outside. She has been now playing basketball for 15 years, starting when she was just 3 years old.
Ford favors basketball over all other sports, she said, because it’s where all her talent is.
Throughout her career, she has had role models, one of them being an old AAU coach from her non-school basketball team, Dru Wheatcroft. He saw something special in Ford, and he constantly motivated her to be her best self.
“He always pushed me to be a better me and always believed in me growing up to be something big and special,” Ford said.
Basketball puts Ford into a productive and competitive mindset. She puts constant time and effort into the sport, even practicing four hours a day on the weekends.
Ford said basketball is a mental sport and also a team effort. She loves her teammates, and she said they are “energetic because they are always hyped and active.”
She spends a lot of time with her team during practices and team bonding experiences. Just like Ford is dedicated to playing ball, she is also dedicated and loyal to her team.
The Lady Gryphons currently stand with a strong record of 11-2, and having won three tournaments.
During Ford’s sophomore year at UA, she was able to reach 1,000 points scored and is striving to hit 2,000 by the end of her senior year. She currently has 10 college offers to play basketball after graduating from UA.
When Ford isn’t playing for the school, she plays AAU ball during the summer and hangs out with friends.
After Ford’s senior year, she plans to attend and play at Johnson County Community College and pursue a career in the WNBA. During her offseason, she wants to be a traveling physical therapist for teenagers.
Ford and the Lady Gryphons are coached by Christian Jackson, who has been coaching the girls for nine years. He has been head coach at UA for two years. Coach Aaron Clark and Coach Jazz Gibson have been assistant coaches for two years.
Coach Christian said he believes Ford is a good basketball player who has unique features that cannot be taught such as effort, intensity and passion. He said she has learned these on her own through her years of playing basketball.
“She has turned into a great ball player,” Coach Christian said.
To other girls wanting to improve at basketball, Ford said the key components communication and consistency.
Come watch Ford play at the Lady Gryphons’ next home game against Barstow Academy on Feb 7. at 6 p.m.
