O’Bannon Is Expected to Play for Bruins Against Oregon Tonight

Ed O’Bannon is expected to make his long-awaited debut with the UCLA basketball team tonight when the Bruins play Oregon at Pauley Pavilion.

O’Bannon, a second-year freshman who has yet to participate in a full practice with the Bruins, has been cleared by UCLA doctors to play about five minutes against the Ducks, barring excessive overnight swelling, Coach Jim Harrick said Wednesday.

“I think it’s time to get him into some action,” Harrick said. “Hopefully, we can increase (his playing time) each week.”

O’Bannon injured his left knee in a pickup game on Oct. 9, 1990, and underwent reconstructive surgery. He has twice undergone arthroscopic surgery since, the last time on Nov. 5, 1991.

He scrimmaged with the Bruins for 10 minutes Tuesday. It was the first time he has participated in a full-contact workout since he enrolled at UCLA out of Artesia High School in Lakewood, where he was one of the nation’s most heavily recruited high school players two seasons ago.

“I know it might flare up--it probably is going to flare up,” O’Bannon said of his knee, “but I’m going to play hard. I feel my time has come.”