Ooo-La-La! Sonics Take 2 Frenchmen In NBA Draft

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By By KOMO Staff & News Services

Summary

They selected 19-year-old -- and 7-foot tall -- Johan Petro of France with their first pick, then went back to France for their second pick.

Story Published: Jun 28, 2005 at 5:23 PM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 1:59 AM PDT

Ooo-La-La! Sonics Take 2 Frenchmen In NBA Draft
SEATTLE - Fresh from a surprising division title and playoff run, the Seattle SuperSonics chose development over immediate impact in the NBA Draft.

Seattle selected a 19-year-old Frenchman, Johan Petro, with the 25th pick in the first round Tuesday night.

At 7 feet and 265 pounds, it was tough for Seattle to pass up the opportunity to add a bulky, frontline player to its roster, even after drafting 7-foot high schooler Robert Swift last year.

"It's a good pick for us because of his height and the fact he's at the center position," Seattle general manager Rick Sund said. "We really focused on the fact that we've got a lot of young players and as they mature, we've got a chance to be pretty good."

In the second round, Seattle took another Frenchman, 6-foot-7 forward Mickael Gelabale, with the 48th pick. At No. 55, Seattle took 6-9 forward Lawrence Roberts from Mississippi State, but traded Roberts to Memphis for two future second-round picks and cash considerations.

Seattle has now drafted four international forwards or centers since 1998.

Petro played the last two seasons with Pau Orthez, averaging 6.1 points in 28 France Pro A league games. He played another 11 games in the Euroleague, averaging 5.1 points.

Petro declared for last year's draft, but withdrew. He's seen the SuperSonics play and believes he will fit well into Seattle's system.

Speaking via conference call from New York City, with his manager Bahpna Dahane translating, Petro said he would prefer not to return to Europe, but play in Seattle next season.

"He's really happy, full of emotion right now," Dahane said.

Seattle assistant coach Jack Sikma coached Petro at an international camp last spring and came away impressed.

"He's very athletic," Sikma said. "Offensively he's got some work to do. There is room for him to improve. But bodywise, he'd be able to play some next year if he decided to stay here."

Last year, Seattle took Swift with the 12th pick, basing the selection mostly on potential.

Petro falls into a similar category.

"He needs to build up his body and improve his shooting skill," Dahane said.

Swift spent this season working extensively with Sikma and saw little playing time. The team hopes Petro spends next season in Seattle following a similar development plan.

The SuperSonics exceeded expectations last season by winning 52 games and the Northwest Division title, before being eliminated from the Western Conference semifinals by the eventual NBA champion San Antonio Spurs.

Seattle's scouts also see Petro as having different skills than Swift, and the two can complement each other.

"I think looking at the risk versus reward, it was a very attractive pick," said David Pendergraft, director of player personnel, noting Petro is "more of a low post anchor" than Swift.

Pendergraft said Gelabale was perhaps the best athlete in Europe. He played for Real Madrid and is contractually obligated to the Spanish squad for one more season before he could join Seattle.

The SuperSonics have put together a young and talented core. Forward Nick Collison and guard Luke Ridnour were drafted in 2003, and all-star forward Rashard Lewis has not yet turned 26, despite being in the league since 1998.

Now the goal is to bring back some of Seattle's veteran free agents. All-star Ray Allen tops a list that includes guard Antonio Daniels, forwards Vladimir Radmanovic and Reggie Evans and center Jerome James.

Seattle has nine players who can become free agents.

"If we can get some of our free agents signed, of the veterans, we think we'll have a formidable club," said Sund, who last week signed a three-year contract extension himself.

Coach Nate McMillan's contract is set to expire on June 30, but he was actively involved in the draft choices.

"I'm looking down the line two, three years from now, developing these guys," McMillan said. "Robert, Petro and Nick, that's a nice frontline."