NEW YORK (NBA) - For the third sraight year, the Seattle SuperSonics selected a center with their first-round pick in the NBA draft, tabbing Senegal's Saer Sene 10th overall.

In 2004, the SuperSonics chose Robert Swift directly out of high school. Last year, they selected France's Johan Petro.

The 6ft 11in, 230-pound Sene is considered a project and may not be signed right away or placed in the D-League.

He spent last season with Verviers-Pepinster in the top division in Belgium, averaging 3.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in 19 games.

Sene, who has an incredible wingspan, participated in the 2006 Nike Hoop Summit, tallying 15 points, six rebounds and nine blocks in 27 minutes.

He is an amazing athlete who elevated his stock in workouts and has more than enough athletic ability to eventually become a good rebounder.

Sene's offensive game is rudimentary. Until he can get more repetitions catching the ball and getting shots - somewhere besides the NBA - his offensive contributions will come with tip-ins, dunks and follow shots.

By PA Sport