seattle

The Sonics concluded two days of workouts on Thursday and completed the first phase of their in-house evaluations before front-office personnel, scouts and coaching staff depart for next week's NBA predraft camp in Orlando, Fla.

If first impressions mean anything, the Sonics are smitten by Villanova guard Randy Foye and Duke standouts Shelden Williams and J.J. Redick, the notable prospects invited for workouts at the Furtado Center.

Williams, a 6-foot-9 All-America forward, auditioned Thursday with Bradley center Patrick O'Bryant, Florida State forward Alexander Johnson and Louisiana Tech forward Paul Milsap.

A day earlier, coach Bob Hill supervised a practice involving Foye and Redick as well as 7-foot centers Mouhamed Saer Sene of Senegal and Sidiki Sidibe of France.

The Sonics have chosen 7-footers in Robert Swift and Johan Petro in the past two drafts, which makes it unlikely they'll take Sene and Sidibe in the June 28 draft.

According to a team source, the focus of Wednesday's exhibition was establishing whether Foye or Redick is a better fit should the Sonics take a shooting guard with the 10th pick.

Citing team policy, general manager Rick Sund declined to comment specifically on the workouts or prospects, but said the Sonics are in the early stages of evaluations.

"We know more than we did a week ago, but we're still pretty open," Sund said. "We've narrowed it down a bit, but it's too early to say we're going in a specific direction or we're looking at a specific type of player."

Workouts are closed to the media, but those in attendance said both 6-4 guards played to their strengths. Redick is the all-time ACC scoring leader, while Foye is regarded as one of nation's top perimeter defenders.

"My workout with the Sonics went well," Redick said via e-mail. "I was pleased with the way I shot the ball, and it is always exciting to compete against a player the caliber of Randy Foye.

"I really enjoyed working with coach Hill and his staff and having the chance to sit down and talk with Rick Sund and Wally Walker. It was my first time visiting Seattle, and from what I saw, it is a beautiful city. I know the people of Washington are passionate about their sports teams — it would be great to play in a city with such tremendous fan support."

The Sonics also have the 40th and 53rd picks in the second round.