SC UPDATE: USC RECRUIT GOES PRO.

Byline: Scott Wolf Staff Writer

USC basketball recruit Robert Swift of Bakersfield High will make himself available for the NBA Draft, in which is expected to be a first-round selection.

Losing the 7-foot, 250-pound Swift is not a big surprise. He's been projected as a possible first-round pick since last summer when he attended a big man's camp in Las Vegas and performed well against college and NBA post players, including Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal.

Since then, Swift said he would consider turning pro and few expected him to attend college. Scouts currently project him going somewhere between No. 15 and No. 22.

``We knew when we signed Robert that there was a good chance he'd have an opportunity like this,'' USC coach Henry Bibby said. ``It goes with the territory of signing elite players. We still hope that he will attend USC this fall, but at this point we wish him the best.''

Swift will not sign with an agent until after the draft but that is considered only a formality with little real hope he would change his mind and go to USC.

Swift, who signed with USC last fall, averaged 18.8 points, 15.9 rebounds and 6.2 blocked shots his senior season.

Swift could be just the first USC recruit that doesn't show up next year. Guard Nick Young of Cleveland High in Reseda and guard Gabriel Pruitt and Westchester have not qualified academically.

Scott Wolf, [phone]

scott.wolf(at)dailynews.com