Milwaukee Bucks rookie guard T.J. Ford was awash in a sea of kids late Monday afternoon at the Bradley Center.

Ford had just filmed a television spot for the Second Harvest food bank that involved the youngsters and afterward, they had Ford surrounded as they all patiently awaited an autograph.

"Everybody got some paper?" Ford inquired.

Those who didn't borrowed a scrap from a friend and Ford, writing against a refrigerator door at courtside, accommodated everyone.

Later, after the group had departed, Ford sat down courtside for an interview. It probably felt good for Ford to get off his feet for a bit, as he has been a busy man. Not only Monday, but ever since the Bucks used their No. 9 overall choice in the college draft last June to select the 5-foot-10 point guard from Texas.

Ford recently returned to Milwaukee from New York, where he had attended the weeklong Rookie Transition Program that is conducted by the National Basketball Association and is mandatory for all first-year players. He worked out at the team's practice facility Monday, filmed the television spot, did the interview and was then ready to call it a day.

Ford could then turn his attention to the opening of the Bucks' training camp today. Under a new league rule this season, players with three or fewer years of experience in the league report to camp today. All players are required to attend media day on Thursday, and the entire roster will then practice for the first time Friday.

Ford said he wasn't sure what to expect as he prepared for his first training camp, especially since coach Terry Porter is beginning his first season at the helm of a team that has undergone a major face lift in recent months.