COLLEGE BASKETBALL / NCAA TOURNAMENT: THE FIRST ROUND : Picture of Contentment : After Turning Back on UNLV, O’Bannon Has Enjoyed UCLA

Now it can be told:

Ed O’Bannon was not exactly thrilled to attend UCLA three years ago when he came out of Lakewood Artesia High as the country’s No. 1 basketball prospect.

O’Bannon, a 6-foot-8 forward, was so excited to play for Coach Jerry Tarkanian at Nevada Las Vegas that his alternative choice filled him with doubts.

But when NCAA officials announced in July of 1990 that the Rebels were going to be sanctioned for violations from 13-year-old allegations, O’Bannon and fellow recruit Shon Tarver bolted for UCLA.

“After I changed my mind to come, I never thought I would like UCLA,” O’Bannon said this week after practice.

Reflecting on those feelings, O’Bannon laughed.

As the Bruins enter the West Regional in Tucson on Friday night, O’Bannon cannot imagine attending another school. Despite the many pratfalls along the way, the last three years have left him feeling blue and gold.

And here’s something to warm the heart of Coach Jim Harrick, who last week received a three-year contract extension:

O’Bannon, a sophomore who is UCLA’s second-leading scorer at 16.5 points per game and leading rebounder at 6.9, plans to play two more seasons in order to earn a degree in Afro-American studies.

This is the way Ed and Madeline O’Bannon envisioned it. College was not a luxury, it was expected. They told their son not to worry about them; not to think about a fat NBA contract.

Ed Jr. promised his mother he would earn a degree although he was not the studious type.

“In high school, I did just enough to go to college, stay eligible and play ball,” O’Bannon said.

When he got to UCLA, he started to backtrack on that promise: “I said, ‘Hey, I want to go play ball and get out as early as possible. Forget the degree. I want to make millions of dollars.’ ”

It seemed only a matter of time before O’Bannon would make himself available for the NBA draft.

Today, it would be an upset if he left UCLA early.

“Now that I am getting closer to my degree, there is no way that I would leave early,” he said.

This metamorphosis from athlete to student-athlete came in about the time it takes to dunk a basketball. That execution, performed thousands of times before, left O’Bannon with a severely damaged left knee when he landed awkwardly during a pickup game with Bruin teammates in the fall of 1990. It took 15 months to rehabilitate, and O’Bannon was a medical redshirt his freshman year.

During that long, frustrating process, O’Bannon discovered the joys of scholastics.

“Before, it seemed like a chore,” he said of school. “Getting out of bed, taking notes. Now, and not all the time, I want to go to class and learn. It’s fun.”

As remarkable as his recovery in basketball is, O’Bannon’s greatest achievements at UCLA occur inside the classroom. He earned a 3.0 grade-point average last fall and is one of six Bruins on the athletic director’s honor roll.

O’Bannon’s maturation as a student reflects his parents.

“We try to emulate them,” O’Bannon said of himself and his younger brother, Charles.

Ed Sr. played football at UCLA in 1971-72 and has been a Bruin fan since childhood. A genial man, he has time for every booster, fan and recruiter. His youngest son, Charles, is considered one of the country’s top basketball prospects as a senior at Artesia High in Lakewood. UCLA coaches and fans would like nothing better than to see the O’Bannon brothers together on the court for two seasons.

For some families, the pressure would be overbearing. But Ed Sr. and Madeline have enjoyed their sons’ successes without a hint of frustration.

“They’re going to let him make the decision,” Ed Jr. said. “Charles knows what they want. Charles knows what the rest of the city wants, but he’s not going to let that influence him.”

UCLA, USC, Kentucky and Michigan are Charles’ leading choices. Ed, who played his senior season at Artesia with Charles, hopes that decision will lead to Westwood. Charles is expected to announce by mid-April.

That decision can wait. Charles has led Artesia to the State Division II final Friday night at Oakland. At the same time, Ed and UCLA will open the NCAA tournament against Iowa State at Tucson.

Although Ed has played brilliantly at times this season, he has suffered through some dismal performances. His latest--three points, 10 rebounds in a 99-80 loss against Arizona last Saturday--was one of his weakest.

“At times, people really expect him to be the Superman on this team, and he’s just a young guy,” said Mitchell Butler, UCLA’s senior captain. “He’s doing everything pretty much for the first time.”

For that reason, the Bruin coaches say O’Bannon will realize the potential he displayed as a high school All-American in 1990.

“All he lacks for me is body strength,” said assistant coach Mark Gottfried.

O’Bannon’s threadlike frame would benefit from bulk.

“When he posts up, I don’t think he is strong enough to maintain his position,” said Lorenzo Romar, another assistant. “Sometimes, it hurts him defensively.”

But because of O’Bannon’s indomitable spirit, the coaches are certain dramatic improvement is a fast break away. They say his desire to improve is insatiable. He does whatever is asked.

“He has as much ability as anyone, but practices as if he didn’t know it,” Romar said. “I’ve played with guys who if they are not the sole attraction, they are mentally out of it.”

Not O’Bannon. Not in March. Not when the tournament is moments away.