By Kyle Roberts
RUSTON, La. — The Ruston High Bearcats added a huge piece to an already talented 2025-26 roster this week after upcoming sophomore Darren Ford was confirmed to have intentions to transfer to Ruston High School from Ouachita Parish High School.
Ford was named 5A first team all-state by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association after averaging 20 points per game as a freshman for the Lions. He will be joining fellow first team all-state Ahmad Hudson, who was also named the 2025 LSWA 5A Player of the Year.
Ford is the son of former Louisiana Tech basketball players Daryl Ford and Amber Obaze Ford. His mother most recently was an assistant coach for Ouachita Parish’s boys’ basketball team.
Ford’s grandfather is NBA and Louisiana Tech legend Karl Malone, and his aunt is Cheryl Ford, a former Lady Techster and standout in the WNBA.
A phone call to the family confirmed the intent to move into the Lincoln Parish School zone is to be closer to extended family and to be back in Ruston where Obaze Ford played in college.
“It’s going to be great,” Ford said of transferring to Ruston High. “I’m excited to have a lot of my family be there to watch me play.”
The Bearcats made it to the quarterfinals last season before falling to Denham Springs 53-50 in the playoffs.
School officials were unable to give a comment at the time of publication as Ford had not completed registration to become a student at Ruston High.
This story was originally broken by Jake Martin of the Ouachita Citizen on social media.
