COLLEGE BASKETBALL / NCAA MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP GAME : Respecting His Elder : Charles O’Bannon Watches in Awe as Brother Ed Approaches End of UCLA Career

Playing the role of kid brother in UCLA’s tournament run has not been easy. In victories over Missouri and Mississippi State, in fact, Charles O’Bannon sometimes appeared lost and taking up valuable floor space.

As Ed, the senior, continued to elevate his game, sophomore Charles couldn’t get past lobby level.

There was a six-point effort against Missouri and a nine-point outing against Mississippi State. There were long stretches on the bench in important moments of both games.

In the West Regional final against Connecticut, it was freshmen Toby Bailey and J.R. Henderson who combined for 44 points.

Charles scored 10.

Throughout, the “other” O’Bannon never questioned why he came to UCLA and has never been anything less than ecstatic about Ed’s success.

“Ever since my dad put a court in the back yard, Ed dominated the whole neighborhood,” Charles said Sunday. “He used to block shots over the gate. When my dad moved the basket to the front yard, he blocked shots into the street.

“I’m finally starting to catch up, but he’s still light years ahead of me.”

Eventually, Charles figured, the Bruins would need him to survive and advance.

His time came Saturday, against Oklahoma State in the tournament semifinal, when Charles rescued the Bruins with a 19-point, six-rebound performance in UCLA’s 74-61 victory. It was his best game since the regular-season finale against Oregon, when he had 25 points and 11 rebounds.

Because of O’Bannon--Charles as much as Ed--the Bruins are in their first title game since 1980.

Against the Cowboys, UCLA’s freshman magic went poof. Bailey, who scored 26 in the regional final, was held to two points.

Henderson, burdened with coverage responsibilities on Bryant (Big Country) Reeves, was one for six shooting.

Charles stepped up.

“I have never doubted my game,” he said. “It was just that our freshmen were playing well, are playing well. It was just a matter of me just trying to help the team. That’s why I think our team is so good, because on any given night, anyone can step up.”

Perhaps Saturday marked a changing of the guards.

Or, in this case, the forwards.

Though he averages 13.7 points and six rebounds, there are dimensions of Charles’ game that have been kept under wraps.

“I just try to do the best I can,” he said. “I’m not trying to be a star, take over this team in any kind of way. I’ve accepted the role I play on this team. I think for our team to be successful, I think everyone has to play their role real well.”

Charles, almost as prized a recruit as Ed coming out of Artesia High, will play in college with his brother for the last time in tonight’s championship game against Arkansas.

Willing to subordinate his role for the good of the team, Charles will be expected to assume Ed’s leadership role next season.

As kids, Chuck always let Ed take the lead to the degree that he would wait to see what Ed was wearing before he dressed.

“Been that way since we were growing up,” Charles said.

Tonight, for the last time, Ed and Charles will bump chests in their pre-tip-off ritual, make eye contact with their father in the crowd and play together as Bruins.

Charles is thankful for the chance.

A serious knee injury early in his college career kept Ed at UCLA and away from the temptation of leaving early for the NBA.

It made it possible for brothers to share this national championship game moment.

“Every game I’ve played at UCLA I’ve played with him,” Charles said. “It will be hard to adjust. I don’t want to think about that. I want to think about playing with him. I know this is the last time, the last time we’ll bump chests, and suit up. I can’t think of a better way of sending him out than with a national championship.”