TJ Ford is a former professional basketball player. In his first season at Texas, Ford not only led the team in steals and minutes per game, he became the first freshman player in NCAA history to lead the nation in assists. Ford's play ensured Texas's Sweet Sixteen appearance and was named a consensus Big 12 Freshman of the Year.

Having been awarded numerous top basketball accolades in high school and college, Ford entered the 2003 NBA draft. He was selected eighth overall by the Milwaukee Bucks. Ford's recurring back injuries resulted in him having to miss many games in his three seasons with the Bucks. However in 2005, it was announced that he was fit to play basketball again. Ford was traded to the Raptors prior to the 2006–07 NBA season, and established himself as the starting point guard, helping the team win the Atlantic Division crown and reach the 2007 NBA Playoffs. Following an injury sustained in the 2007–08 NBA season, Ford was traded to the Indiana Pacers. He signed with KK Zagreb of Croatia during the 2011 NBA lockout. On December 9, 2011, Ford signed a contract with the San Antonio Spurs.

Off the court, Ford set up the T. J. Ford Foundation in 2004 to help participants achieve their academic, personal and civil goals.