MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin head men’s basketball coach Greg Gard announced Thursday that Wisconsin has signed high school seniors Aleem Ford and D’Mitrik Trice to national letters of intent to play basketball for the Badgers beginning in the fall of 2016.
“We are extremely excited about the additions of Aleem and D’Mitrik, two young men who epitomize the term student-athlete,” Gard said. “Both of these young men have demonstrated a high level of commitment to academics, while performing on the court as well. In addition, they are both exceptionally high character individuals and will fit in incredibly well with our team.”
ALEEM FORD
6-7, 190, Forward
Lawrenceville, Ga. (IMG Academy)
A native of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Ford spent last season as a post-graduate player at IMG Academy in Florida, where he averaged 13.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Prior to his time at IMG, Ford earned All-Region 8-AAAAAA honors after averaging 14.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.2 blocks as a senior at Archer High School in Lawrenceville. An All-Gwinnett County Selection and an Atlanta Journal All-State honorable mention pick, Ford shot 44 percent from 3-point range and 77 percent at the free throw line.
“Aleem is a very skilled and athletic wing who is extremely versatile on both ends of the floor. That versatility could allow him to play a variety of positions down the road” Gard said. “He just turned 18 recently, so he’s a young player who’s coming into his own due to a late growth spurt. As he continues to grow and mature, he has a very bright future.”
D’MITRIK TRICE
5-11, 180, Guard
Dayton, Ohio (IMG Academy)
A two-sport standout from Dayton, Ohio, Trice also spent the 2015-16 season as post-graduate at IMG Academy averaging 12.3 points, 4.1 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game. As a prep at Wayne High School in Huber Heights, Ohio, Trice excelled in basketball and football.
As a senior on the hardwood, he averaged 10.3 points and 5.7 assists per game leading his team to the 2015 state championship and the No. 22 ranking in the nation by USA Today. Trice was named MVP of the state championship game after scoring 19 points. A two-time first team All-Greater Western Ohio Conference honoree, Trice led the conference in assists both his junior and senior seasons and ended his career at Wayne with a 3.6 to 1 assist-to-turnover ratio. He averaged 11.5 points and 7.2 assists per game as a junior. A three-year starter at Wayne, Trice finished his career as the school’s all-time assist leader (499) and tallied a record of 73-14.
On the gridiron, Trice quarterbacked Wayne High School to the state championship game as a senior in 2014. He was named Ohio Division I Offensive Player of the Year and finished with a career record of 25-3 as a two-year starter under center. Trice was also a two-time Southwest Ohio District Player of the Year, the 2015 GWOC Player of the Year and finished with 7,231 career passing yards and 82 total touchdowns.
The younger brother of former Michigan State guard Travis Trice, D’Mitrik played for his father, Travis Trice, Sr., at Wayne High School.
“D’Mitrik’s qualities as a leader are outstanding; from guiding his high school basketball team to a state championship title as the starting point guard, to leading his high school football team to the state championship game as the starting quarterback,” Gard said. “His personality and ability to get people to follow him are impressive. He has all the intangible qualities you look for in a point guard. His pedigree is consistent with doing things the right way, improving each day, and being committed to success both on and off the floor.
“Both D’Mitrik and Aleem are good fits for our culture at Wisconsin. They understand what we’re about and are excited to be a part of our program. Badger fans will enjoy watching these two as they grow through their careers at Wisconsin.”
“We are extremely excited about the additions of Aleem and D’Mitrik, two young men who epitomize the term student-athlete,” Gard said. “Both of these young men have demonstrated a high level of commitment to academics, while performing on the court as well. In addition, they are both exceptionally high character individuals and will fit in incredibly well with our team.”
ALEEM FORD
6-7, 190, Forward
Lawrenceville, Ga. (IMG Academy)
A native of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Ford spent last season as a post-graduate player at IMG Academy in Florida, where he averaged 13.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Prior to his time at IMG, Ford earned All-Region 8-AAAAAA honors after averaging 14.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.2 blocks as a senior at Archer High School in Lawrenceville. An All-Gwinnett County Selection and an Atlanta Journal All-State honorable mention pick, Ford shot 44 percent from 3-point range and 77 percent at the free throw line.
“Aleem is a very skilled and athletic wing who is extremely versatile on both ends of the floor. That versatility could allow him to play a variety of positions down the road” Gard said. “He just turned 18 recently, so he’s a young player who’s coming into his own due to a late growth spurt. As he continues to grow and mature, he has a very bright future.”
D’MITRIK TRICE
5-11, 180, Guard
Dayton, Ohio (IMG Academy)
A two-sport standout from Dayton, Ohio, Trice also spent the 2015-16 season as post-graduate at IMG Academy averaging 12.3 points, 4.1 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game. As a prep at Wayne High School in Huber Heights, Ohio, Trice excelled in basketball and football.
As a senior on the hardwood, he averaged 10.3 points and 5.7 assists per game leading his team to the 2015 state championship and the No. 22 ranking in the nation by USA Today. Trice was named MVP of the state championship game after scoring 19 points. A two-time first team All-Greater Western Ohio Conference honoree, Trice led the conference in assists both his junior and senior seasons and ended his career at Wayne with a 3.6 to 1 assist-to-turnover ratio. He averaged 11.5 points and 7.2 assists per game as a junior. A three-year starter at Wayne, Trice finished his career as the school’s all-time assist leader (499) and tallied a record of 73-14.
On the gridiron, Trice quarterbacked Wayne High School to the state championship game as a senior in 2014. He was named Ohio Division I Offensive Player of the Year and finished with a career record of 25-3 as a two-year starter under center. Trice was also a two-time Southwest Ohio District Player of the Year, the 2015 GWOC Player of the Year and finished with 7,231 career passing yards and 82 total touchdowns.
The younger brother of former Michigan State guard Travis Trice, D’Mitrik played for his father, Travis Trice, Sr., at Wayne High School.
“D’Mitrik’s qualities as a leader are outstanding; from guiding his high school basketball team to a state championship title as the starting point guard, to leading his high school football team to the state championship game as the starting quarterback,” Gard said. “His personality and ability to get people to follow him are impressive. He has all the intangible qualities you look for in a point guard. His pedigree is consistent with doing things the right way, improving each day, and being committed to success both on and off the floor.
“Both D’Mitrik and Aleem are good fits for our culture at Wisconsin. They understand what we’re about and are excited to be a part of our program. Badger fans will enjoy watching these two as they grow through their careers at Wisconsin.”
