Seven-foot Sylla signs with Auburn

Boubacar Sylla, a 7-foot-1, 275-pound center from Paris, France, has signed a national letter of intent to attend Auburn University and play basketball in 2007-08, head coach Jeff Lebo announced Thursday.

Sylla played the last two years at Stoneridge Prep in California.

"We think Boubacar has a tremendous body, and he hasn't been playing basketball for a long time," Lebo said. "He has great size and terrific hands. He has a ways to go to get polished, but he is big and physical. At 7 feet, 275 pounds, he has a frame, but he will have an adjustment to make in college. He'll be a better college player than in prep school because of the game and will be able to bang a little bit. He is a good passer and can shoot a 15-foot jumper."

Sylla transferred to Stoneridge Prep prior to the 2005-06 season and averaged 2.4 points and 2.8 rebounds this past season. Possessing a soft shooting touch, the ability to run the floor and a deft passer, he was a soccer goalie before deciding to concentrate on basketball.

Sylla was also recruited by Southern Cal, LSU, St. John's, Baylor and San Diego State and five of his teammates signed college scholarships for next season, including Ibrahima Thomas of Oklahoma State, Mamadou Diarra of USC, Charles Boozer of Iowa State, Howard Little of Valparaiso and Mychel Thompson of Pepperdine.

Sylla, who speaks three languages, plans to major in international business at Auburn.

Auburn's November signee included Tyrell Lynch, a 6-foot-9, 220-pound power forward from Niagara Falls, N.Y., who played this year at Laurinburg (N.C.) Prep.