"We want our next center," Spurs assistant general manager R.C. Buford said laughing, "to be as good as our last center."

With Robinson retiring at the end of next season, the team's search for a replacement likely will extend well beyond tonight. With only the 26th, 56th and 57th picks at their disposal, the Spurs will draft more on potential than production.

UCLA's Dan Gadzuric and 18-year-old Yugoslavian Nenad Krstic, both 6-foot-11 centers, are among the players the Spurs are considering taking in the first round.