Dean Smith Phil Ford

Dean Smith and Phil Ford. Photo via Allen Steele/Getty Images.

It has been 40 years since Phil Ford ran the legendary Four Corners offense for Dean Smith, but Ford remains perhaps the most popular athlete in the history of North Carolina.

“Fabulous Phil” will be giving two basketball workshops Saturday at Southern Season, beginning at noon at the University Place Mall entrance to Southern Season. Ford will talk to children and adults about coaching and teamwork and then show kids the proper way to shoot layups and free throws on the indoor court and basket.

Ford will also be signing copies of his book THE KID WHO COULDN’T DUNK, an inspirational story about finding what you like to do and practicing how to do it well.

Ford, a native of Rocky Mount who graduated in 1978, was UNC’s all-time leader scorer until Tyler Hansbrough broke his record in 2009. Ford is still the second-highest scorer in Tar Heel history with 2,290 points. He is third all-time in assists and made 81 percent of the 693 career free throws he attempted.

Ford won the John Wooden Award as national player of the year in 1978, when he was also ACC Player of the Year. He was a three-time consensus All-American for the Tar Heels, and won five ACC regular season or tournament championships during his career.

A first-round NBA draft pick by the Kansas City Kings, Ford was named Rookie of the Year in 1979 and played six seasons in the NBA before going into coaching. He was on the Tar Heel staff under Smith and Bill Guthridge for 12 years.

The first workshop runs from noon to 1:30 and the second from 2:00 to 3:30. In between and afterward Ford will be signing his book, which is available for purchase at Southern Season.

Don’t miss an Afternoon with Phil Ford, the most popular athlete in the history of North Carolina!

Phil Ford Workshop 1 Registration 12PM

Phil Ford Workshop 2 Registration 1:30PM