The Toronto Raptors announced Tuesday they have signed guard T.J. Ford to a multi-year contract. The extension will begin with the 2007-08 season, and per team policy, financial details were not disclosed.

Ford, 6-foot, 165 pounds, was acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks on June 30. He averaged 9.6 points and a team-best 6.2 assists in five preseason contests with the Raptors. Had a high of 13 points versus Maccabi Tel Aviv on October 19 and 11 assists on October 15 versus New Jersey.

Ford averaged12.2 points, a team-best 6.6 assists and 35.5 minutes last season for Milwaukee. He started 70 of his 72 appearance, leading the he Bucks in assists in 52 games and in steals in 29 outings. He posted double figures in points 47 times, with six games of 20 or more.

In five postseason season contests, Ford averaged 12.6 points and 6.4 assists. He shot .490 per cent from the field, .400 per cent from three-point range and .917 per cent from the charity stripe.

In 2003-04, Ford contributed 7.1 points and 6.5 assists in 55 outings. He paced the Bucks in assists and was second among all rookies. He topped the team in steals at 1.09 per game, and shot .816 per cent from the foul line. He was named to the All-NBA Rookie Second Team.

Ford missed the final 26 games of the 2003-04 season and the entire 2004-05 campaign due to neck surgery.

Ford averaged 10.0 points and 6.5 assists in 127 games in his two seasons of game action in Milwaukee. He started 125 contests, averaging 31.7 minutes. He recorded career bests of 34 points at Orlando on April 5, 2006 and 14 assists November 1, 2005 at Philadelphia.

Ford was an early entry candidate for the draft after two seasons at the University of Texas.

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