Temple Adds Arkansas State Transfer Derrian Ford to Backcourt
Arkansas State transfer guard Derrian Ford has officially signed with Temple men’s basketball, the program announced Saturday morning. He becomes the Owls’ fifth addition from the transfer portal this offseason.
A 6-foot-3, 212-pound native of Arkansas, Ford spent the last two seasons at Arkansas State after beginning his college career at the University of Arkansas. Before that, he was a standout at Magnolia (Ark.) High School, where he was named Arkansas High School Player of the Year twice and won three state championships.
“His skill level, both with the ball and off the ball, stood out to us immediately,” head coach Adam Fisher said in a press release. “He’s a high-level shooter who has consistently hit shots from long range, and his size and physicality give us a strong defensive presence.”
Ford drew transfer interest from FAU, Tulsa, and Appalachian State before choosing Temple, according to 247Sports national recruiting analyst Dushawn London.
He played a limited role during his freshman year at Arkansas, logging just 80 minutes across 21 games in 2022–23. After transferring to Arkansas State, Ford quickly became a starter and averaged 10.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.2 turnovers per game while shooting 41.1% from the field, 37.6% from three, and 74.6% from the line. He started 31 games and logged the second-most minutes on a balanced team that featured five double-digit scorers.
In 2024–25, Ford’s role fluctuated as the Red Wolves added several key transfers and welcomed back their starting point guard from injury. Despite Arkansas State’s 25–11 record and overall team improvement, Ford dealt with injuries that limited his impact. He missed time after a collision with a screen in early December and later saw his minutes reduced in favor of former Arkansas teammate Joseph Pinion. He also missed part of February with an ankle injury.
Ford ended the season averaging 8.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 20.9 minutes per game, while shooting 37.8% from the field, 32.1% from three, and 82.8% from the foul line.
Following head coach Bryan Hodgson’s departure to South Florida, multiple Arkansas State players entered the portal. In addition to Ford, Pinion and senior forward Izaiyah Nelson joined USF, while point guard Terrance Ford Jr. committed to Tulsa—ensuring the Red Wolves will have a strong presence in the American Athletic Conference in 2025–26.
Derrian Ford has one year of eligibility remaining.
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