Monday, 6/30/97 O’Bannon 31st draft pick BASKETBALL: Despite
first-round hopes and a championship ring, UCLA graduate chosen in
2nd by Detroit Pistons
By Stan Johnson Jr. Daily Bruin Senior Staff Charles O’Bannon
was the 31st pick in the second round of the NBA draft by the
Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, June 25. Many expected O’Bannon, who
helped UCLA advance to the final eight of this year’s NCAA
Championships, to be picked in the first round. Throughout his
collegiate career, O’Bannon provided strong leadership during times
when the team struggled. "I’d hoped to go in the first round, like
every draftee dreams about," O’Bannon said, in reaction to his
place in the draft. A possible explanation for O’Bannon’s
second-round draft selection is his junior year performance, during
which he did not perform as well as he would have liked. He also
received a couple of technical fouls for hanging on the rim.
Otherwise, his collegiate career was very impressive. In the 1993
season, O’Bannon was the first freshman under former coach Jim
Harrick to start every regular season game. At the end of the
season, O’Bannon was ranked fourth on the team in scoring (11.6
ppg), third in rebounds (6.8), and first in shots blocked.
O’Bannon’s sophomore year was almost as impressive as his first. He
led the team in shots blocked again, and he had the highest field
goal percentage on the team (55.4 percent). His senior year,
O’Bannon was a force to be reckoned with. Despite the Bruin’s loss
in the preseason NIT tournament, O’Bannon’s leadership helped UCLA
become contenders for the national title. UCLA went on a winning
streak before losing in the Elite Eight. O’Bannon’s
less-than-stellar junior year performance was probably a
determining factor in his disappointing second round draft pick.
Had more consideration been given to the sum of O’Bannon’s career –
he scored double figures in 31 of 32 games during his senior year –
he may have been selected in the first round. "It’s great to be
here. I look forward to working with veterans like (Joe) Dumars,"
O’Bannon said. With contributions from Daily Bruin wire
sources.