Prep basketball standout Stephen Clark signs with Oklahoma State

“He gets a lot of publicity for how he can score the basketball, but he is also a great passer and a great ballhandler,” Ford said. “He's a winner. His team has won three state championships, and are looking forward to trying to win a fourth.”

Clark has been heavily recruited since his freshman year with offers from top programs nationwide.

In August, he enrolled at Quest Prep in Las Vegas, a school that he felt would put him up against top national competition to prepare him for college.

However, the first-year school was slow to develop its program, and Clark moved home after just a few weeks.

He took three official visits in October as the family went back and forth on the best destination for his college career. Ultimately, Ford's loyalty through the recruiting process won out.

“It came down right to the end,” Clark said. “We talked to coach (Ford) about certain situations. He said everything was gonna be all right, and he had my back, so I've got his back.

“Coach Ford has been there through it all, and he can make me a better basketball player.”