Alton Ford, former player for Milby, UH, Rockets, dies at 36

PHOTOS: Alton Ford in high school and college LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 25: Shaquille O'Neal #34 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes to the basket defended by Alton Ford #1 of the Houston Rockets on December 25, 2003 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) less PHOTOS: Alton Ford in high school and college LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 25: Shaquille O'Neal #34 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes to the basket defended by Alton Ford #1 of the Houston Rockets on December 25, 2003 ... more Photo: Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images Photo: Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close Alton Ford, former player for Milby, UH, Rockets, dies at 36 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

Alton Ford, a "gentle giant" who was a McDonald's All-American at Milby High School and played one season at the University of Houston before leaving for the NBA, passed away Monday night after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 36.

An intimidating 6-9, 260-pound forward, Ford was one of the top players to come out of the Houston Independent School District in recent decades, averaging nearly 24 points and 15 rebounds and earning McDonald's All-American honors as a senior at Milby. He played one season for the Cougars, averaging 10.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in 2000-01 before deciding to turn pro.

FROM JEROME SOLOMON: Alton Ford was a sight to behold on the basketball court

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"He was quite a character," said Jim Duffer, Ford's former coach at Milby. "The word gentle giant is just an absolute great characteristic that he had. He just was a sweet kid. When you got on the court he was a man and wasn't going to back down to anybody. But he was such a gentle person off the court and had such a charismatic smile and booming laugh. What a great kid."

Ford was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 50th overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft. Ford averaged 2.5 points and 1.7 rebounds in two seasons with the Suns. He appeared in nine games for the Rockets during the 2003-04 season before playing overseas for five seasons. He played the final years of his career in the NBA D-League until retiring in 2011.

"The Suns organization is saddened this morning by the passing of former Suns forward Alton Ford , who was a beloved teammate and friend to man during his two seasons in Phoenix," the organization posted on Twitter. "We share our deepest condolences with Alton's friends & family."

Ford was diagnosed with stage-4 lymphoma in late November, according to a video posted on Facebook. A celebration of Ford's life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Daryl's Place (3330 Avenue A) in Santa Fe. Proceeds from the crawfish boil will go to Ford's family to assist with medical bills and funeral costs.

Ford is survived by his wife Victoria and three children. He is preceded in death by his mother, Carol Ford.

"She did such a great job of raising that kid," Duffer said.

Funeral arrangements are pending.