JULIE JACOBSON / Associated Press file, 2011

Gonzaga center Robert Sacre, 7-foot and 247 pounds, participated in a Kings predraft workout Monday. He was named the West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year last season.

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Kings work out Gonzaga big man Sacre

Published: Tuesday, Jun. 19, 2012 - 12:00 am | Page 3C
Last Modified: Wednesday, Jun. 20, 2012 - 12:00 am

Looking nearly all of the 7-foot, 247 pounds at which the league website lists him, Robert Sacre doesn't lack size – or personality.

An NBA team that gives him a chance, Sacre said, will like "my physicality. I'm a big guy. I like to hit people. I don't know what that's all about, but I like to hit people."

The weaknesses in his game are … "I don't know," he said, grinning. "Weaknesses? My weakness is that I make everyone around me smile. It's a tough weakness."

In seriousness, the center out of Gonzaga said, "It's all about improving my game every day, all day."

There are more gifted big men available in the June 28 NBA draft than Sacre, one of six players worked out by the Kings on Monday, though likely few more gregarious.

Like most of the players at Monday's workout, Sacre has been projected as a second-round pick at best. He remains optimistic.

"I told my agent I'm going first overall," Sacre said. "He kind of didn't believe me."

Sacre, who attended high school in British Columbia, has the build to body up in the NBA and athleticism in his genes. His father, Greg LaFleur, played tight end in the NFL from 1981 to 1986; his mother played basketball at LSU.

His averages of 6.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks a game in his senior season at Gonzaga were modest, though Sacre was named the West Coast Conference's Defensive Player of the Year.

The Kings could target a defensive-minded player but pick early in the second round, when more tempting bigs still may be on the board.

Where he might fit on an NBA roster next season "depends on the team," Sacre said, but he isn't shy in his belief there is a spot for him somewhere.

"I could see myself being a big man that gets a lot of minutes, playing a lot of defense," he said. "I'm willing to be physical and do what my team asks me to do, and if that's guard their best big man, I can do that."

Joining Sacre at Monday's workout were guards Kyle Fogg (Arizona) and Devoe Joseph (Oregon) and forwards Robbie Hummel (Purdue), Mike Scott (Virginia) and Wesley Witherspoon (Memphis).

The Kings are scheduled to work out six more players today, including Missouri guard Kim English, a projected second-rounder.

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