RELATED CONTENT

Sonics Sign Petro Sonics Announce Summer League Roster Sonics News Archive

Petro, the Sonics first-round pick (25th overall) in last month's NBA Draft, signed his rookie contract with the Sonics before taking part in his first practice with other players who are fighting for spots on the Sonics summer league team.

Petro's battle with Robert Swift, the Sonics first-round pick a year ago and another 7-footer, highlighted the first day of practice as the Sonics went full-court for the half-hour or so that was open to the media. Both showed flashes of brilliance while also reminding onlookers at times that they are 19 years old.

"He's active. He competes. You can tell he played in a pro league last year." Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE/Getty

"The NBA is a more up-tempo, more athletic style than the European style of play," Petro said afterwards through an interpreter. "It's a lot more energy. I'm excited about it."

In terms of energy and athleticism, Petro should have no problems fitting in. He displayed explosiveness around the hoop, prodigious ballhandling skills (including a great pass that led to a dunk) and good touch on his shots. Petro is excited about playing an up-tempo style with the Sonics.

"I feel it's a good fit for my style of play and how I like to play," he said. "I feel my style complements the up-tempo style Seattle plays with."

Showing his youth, Petro also was called for a handful of fouls, including one near the top of the key that drew assistant coach Bob Weiss to explain to him that his fouls should be committed in the green of the paint.

"He's active. He competes," said Sonics assistant Jack Sikma, who is running the summer league squad. "You can tell he played in a pro league last year; he didn't let anybody body him out of there. He's got to develop some technique defensively, just understand the NBA rules."

Petro took a hard fall at the end of practice, drawing players and coaches around him before getting up slowly, but he seemed to enjoy himself, joking with his translator and sticking around well after practice to work on his shot in the paint and compete with Rashid Byrd, a former player on the And 1 Mixtape Tour, in slam-dunk and half-court shooting contests.

Though the Frenchman used a translator, he understands more than enough English to work with coaches during practice and answer a few questions on his own, including what players he compares his game to: A combination of All-Stars Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett. Reminded how good they are, Petro flashed a wide grin and said, "Yeah, I know."

Veteran Sonics guard Mateen Cleaves, recognizing the 19-year-old's youth and inexperience, set the bar a little lower for the next couple of weeks.

"He's young, athletic and plays with a lot of energy," said Cleaves. "That's pretty much all you can ask for out of a kid that young - to play hard, play with energy and keep trying to get better every day."

Sikma is excited about Petro's potential to improve.

"He moves and he's got strength and he can develop more physically too," said Sikma. "He's got a body you can hang some weight on; with a couple of years with Coach (Dwight) Daub, his leg strength will improve, and that's big in this league, being able to hold your position."