What does Kansas City Royals starter Zack Greinke have in common with the Seattle SuperSonics 12th pick overall in the 2004 NBA Draft, Bakersfield High School center Robert Swift? Probably nothing. Maybe everything.

Two years ago, Royals GM Allard Baird was intent on picking a college starter with their sixth pick of MLB's Amateur Draft, having been burned badly by high schooler Colt Griffin the year before. As Rob Neyer of ESPN.com recently related, "Baird's scouts told him the best college pitcher available was ... a high school pitcher named Zack Greinke. This kid, they told him, was closer to the majors than any of those other guys."

Two years later, Greinke has reached the majors before any of the college pitchers the Royals were considering, and he's pitched very well. Over his first six starts, Greinke has posted a 3.00 era and allowed less than a baserunner an inning.

On the court, Swift is most frequently compared to former Boston Celtics great Kevin McHale because of his precocious footwork. Crossing the lines of sport, however, Greinke might be the right comparison. By the time the Sonics were on the clock with the 12th pick, the only center they were confident could contribute immediately, BYU's Rafael Araujo, had already been selected by the Toronto Raptors four picks early. That left Swift, a number of young foreigners and Colorado's David Harrison as the only real center prospects remaining. Not only does Swift have as much upside or more than any of those other players, he may also be equally or more ready to contribute quickly.

In breaking down several top players for KJR this week, Sonics Director of Player Personnel Dave Pendergraft noted that the only thing keeping Swift from stepping in and contributing immediately is his body. At a listed 7-0, 245 - unofficial measurements, as Swift was not officially measured in Chicago by the NBA - Swift will need to add strength to be able to battle with the NBA's big bodies in the paint.

When it comes to skills, however, the USC recruit has a head start. He's drawn attention as a prospect in part because of his footwork. He describes himself as a post player who plays with his back to the basket, while Sonics GM Rick Sund praised Swift's ability to score with either hand and knock down the jump hook.

The Sonics also like Swift's feel for the game.

"I think this young man has some innate things he can do on the basketball court," said Sonics special assignments coach Jack Sikma, who will be responsible for developing Swift. "He seems to be in the right position all of the time. When you watch him play he seems to have good feet and he works hard."

The Sonics have managed to figure this out despite the fact that Swift and his agent, Arn Tellum, have made it as difficult as possible for teams to get information on Swift. After Swift completed his high school schedule and played in a pair of post-season All-Star games, the McDonald's High School All-American game and the EA Sports Roundball Classic (where he scored 17 points, had 12 rebounds and blocked four shots), he almost went into hiding. Swift did not work out for any teams, and the Sonics had not spoken to him when they selected him.

"Workouts started when I was still in school, so I didn’t have a lot of time," Swift explained. "And then I was advised by my agent to take the last week and a half off."

Still, speculation ran rampant that Swift didn't work out because he had a promise from another team to take him in the middle of the first round. The Sonics tacitly confirmed this notion after taking Swift, without naming the other team, believed to be the Boston Celtics. Still, word about Swift got out. In addition to scouts and Sund having seen Swift play during the season, the Sonics poured over hours of game tape to ensure they were making the right decision.

They also spoke to a pair of people whose names should be familiar to Sonics fans, former Seattle assistant Tim Grgurich and former player Lonnie Shelton, who teamed with Sikma on the Sonics 1979 Championship team. Grgurich, who recently left his position as an assistant for the Phoenix Suns, has worked with Swift over the last two summers, while one of Shelton's sons teamed with Swift at Bakersfield High, and Shelton too has helped coach Swift.

Both Shelton and Grgurich gave Swift positive reviews.

"I talked to Tim Grgurich and he really felt that this guy would be solid, he likes to play in the paint, he likes to play with his back to the basket and he’s a tough kid," said Sonics Coach Nate McMillan. "He’s 7-0 and very skillful. He really praised the kid and he’s been working with this kid for two years. I have a great deal of confidence in Coach Grg. Any young player who Coach Grg is praising like that, I believe him."

Relatively polished as Swift may be for a high school big man, Sikma noted it would be unfair to expect too much of him too soon. With all three centers coming back from last season's roster, the Sonics likely won't have a ton of free playing time in the middle, though McMillan noted, "He will have that opportunity." Swift will have to put on weight and muscle, and KJR's David Locke joked during a radio interview that Sonics assistant coach of player development Dwight Daub would become Swift's best friend in Seattle.

Swift's opportunity could come two years down the line. After next season, only Calvin Booth is under contract to the Sonics in the middle, and center is the only position on the court where the Sonics don't have at least one player 25 or younger. Swift could round a future projected Sonics lineup with Luke Ridnour at point guard, Ray Allen at shooting guard, Rashard Lewis at small forward and Nick Collison at power forward, with Ronald "Flip" Murray and Vladimir Radmanovic off the bench.

After not working out, Swift was to some the mystery of the 2004 Draft. His value, however, is no mystery. "The phone hasn't stopped ringing," noted Sund, who said three teams had called the Sonics trying to trade for Swift. And if Greinke is any guide, Swift's bright future is no mystery as well.