AUSTIN, Texas - University of Texas freshman guard T.J. Ford (Houston, Texas) has claimed the NCAA individual statistical title in assists, the school learned Tuesday morning. Year-end statistics for the NCAA Service Bureau include all postseason tournament game stats, so Ford's title did not become official until the conclusion of Monday night's NCAA Championship game.

Ford concluded his freshman season with an assists average of 8.27 (273 in 33 games), while Maryland junior Steve Blake placed second at 7.94 apg (286 in 36 games). Ford becomes the first freshman to lead the nation in assists since the NCAA began tracking the statistic in the 1983-84 season. In fact prior to this year, only one sophomore (Jason Kidd, California, 1993-94, 9.07 apg) had led the country in assists. Ford's assists average marked the second-best season total by a freshman in NCAA history (Omar Cook, St. John's, 2000-01, 8.69 apg).

Ford also becomes the third player at Texas to lead the nation in an individual statistical category. LaSalle Thompson led the nation in rebounding (13.5 rpg) in 1981-82, while Roderick Anderson won the steals title in 1994-95 (3.37 spg).

Final 2001-02 NCAA Assists Leaders
Player, Team Yr. G Ast Avg
T.J. Ford, TEXAS Fr. 33 273 8.27
Steve Blake, Maryland Jr. 36 286 7.94
Edward Scott, Clemson Jr. 30 238 7.93
Sean Kennedy, Marist Sr. 28 222 7.93
Chris Thomas, Notre Dame Fr. 33 252 7.64

All-Time NCAA Top Season Assists Averages by a Freshman (since 1983-84 season)
Player, Team Season G Ast Avg
Omar Cook, St. John's 2000-01 29 252 8.69
T.J. Ford, TEXAS 2001-02 33 273 8.27
Orlando Smart, San Francisco 1990-91 29 237 8.17
Kenny Anderson, Georgia Tech 1989-90 35 285 8.14