Recruiting Report: Key’shawn Ford (2018)
With a filled out 6’3” frame and a versatile skill-set, Maple Heights incoming-senior Key’shawn Ford (2018) is a hybrid prospect.
Over the final couple weekends of the grassroots season, with Ohio Basketball Club – Classic Impressions, Ford displayed the ability to shoot with range and slide by defenders on the dribble-drive. However, for Maple Heights this coming winter, Ford will be showcase a different style of play.
“The OBC role is different from school because he got me playing more of a guard, and doing different things as far as guard wise. As far as school, he’s got me playing more big man — like four and three,” Ford explained.
Which one of the roles does Ford prefer?
“I kind of like the three and the four because it gives me mismatches. I can just blow past people easier. I kind of like that role.”
Marietta and Heidelberg, a couple in-state Division III programs, apparently like it too, as both have expressed interest.
He seems to share mutual interest with one, in particular.
“Right now, Marietta ... they’ve been recruiting me hard. I’m supposed to be going to their camp. I like that college,” Ford said. He later told us that he’s been on their campus once, making their camp a potential second time there.
Ford could make some noise in the Lake Erie League as a senior, opening up more college interest. His versatility will be a mismatch for a lot of high school rosters, leading to a wide-variety of interest because programs could mold his abilities to fit their team structure. During the interview, Ford singled out shooting as his best quality. In the next sentence, Ford was talking about guarding bigs. The combination of roles (both of which he’s actually capable of performing), should get him into a program.
In the meantime, the most important factor in Ford’s decision is building a relationship with the coaching staff.
Coming up soon, Heidelberg will have an opportunity to further their relationship with Ford.
“Heidelberg University, they’ve been contacting me. I’m supposed to go on a visit on August 15,” Ford told Prep Hoops.
As a senior, Ford’s goals involve receiving scholarship offers and improving his off-the-dribble jumper. He currently carries a 2.7 GPA and is yet to receive his ACT score.
Also, he’s playing wide receiver on the football field for his senior season, after not playing as a sophomore or junior. He does not have any college interest as a football prospect at this time.
