Swift

SEATTLE - The Seattle SuperSonics today signed first-round draft pick Robert Swift to a contract, Sonics General Manager Rick Sund announced. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Swift, 18, was the Sonics’ first-round selection (12th overall) in NBA Draft 2004 held on June 24. The 7-0 high-school center and Bakersfield, Calif. native played for the West team in the McDonald’s High School All-American Game and tallied 10 points and four rebounds in 19 minutes. Swift also had 17 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks for his West team in the EA Sports Roundball Classic.

Swift averaged 18.8 points, 15.9 rebounds and 6.2 blocks per game during his senior season at Bakersfield High School. Swift was named MVP of the California Prep Invitational Tournament in December after he scored 20 points to lead Bakersfield to a 50-46 championship-game win over Clovis West.

Before transferring to Bakersfield High School, Swift played three seasons at Garces Memorial High School (Calif.) where he led his team to the state semifinals three straight years. He ended his high-school career with 2,044 points, the ninth-best total in Central Section history. Swift also had 1,503 career rebounds, the section’s second-best mark.

Swift will play with the Sonics summer-league team in the Reebok Rocky Mountain Revue in Salt Lake City, July 16-24, 2004. The Sonics now have 12 players under contract for the 2004-05 season.