Sonics Sign Their No. 1 Pick -- Sherell Ford Has Three-Year Deal

Rookie shooting guard/forward Sherell Ford has sign a three-year contract with the Seattle Sonics, the NBA club announced today.

Financial details were not announced. But the new NBA rookie salary scale has set specific paramters for the 26th pick in the 1995 draft. The high-scoring swingman could have signed for $430,000, plus or minus 20 percent, for 1995-96; $494,500, plus or minus 20 percent, for 1996-97, and $559,000, plus or minus 20 percent, for 1997-98.

If he signed for flat scale, his deal would be worth $1.483.5 million over the three years. If he signed for the highest permitted deal, it could be worth $1.78 million.

Ford had his first workout today during the first day of rookie/free agent camp.

Ford, 23, was the Midwestern Collegiate Conference Player of the Year last season, when he averaged 26.2 point (fourth in the nation) and 10.5 rebounds (24th). The 6-foot-7 Ford is the No. 2 career scorer at Illinois-Chicago with 2,102 points.

Rookie point guard Eric Snow, the Sonics' second-round selection, remains unsigned, but was expected to be in camp.