Ed O'Bannon (2005) - Hall of Fame

Ed O'Bannon

Induction:
2005

A four-year letterman (1992-95) and three-year basketball starter (1993-95) under Jim Harrick, O'Bannon was the National High School Player of the Year in 1990 before he severely injured his knee and missed all of the 1990-91 UCLA season. Through dedication, diligence and perseverance, O'Bannon returned to lead the Bruins to a record 32 victories and the 1995 NCAA championship (UCLA's 11th national title in men's basketball). During that championship season, O'Bannon's accolades included the John Wooden Award as College Basketball's Player of the Year, Most Outstanding Player in the Final Four, USBWA and CBS-Chevrolet Player of the Year, Pac-10 Co-Player of the Year and consensus All-American. Playing without point guard Tyus Edney in the finals, O'Bannon willed the Bruins to the NCAA championship by scoring 30 points and hauling down 17 rebounds. As a senior, he finished second in Pac-10 scoring at 20.1 ppg, fourth in rebounds, second in three-point field goal percentage and scored a career high of 37 points versus Duke. During his career, O'Bannon was named All-Pac-10 three times (1993, '94, '95) and was named honorable mention All-American in 1993 and third-team All-American in 1994. On UCLA's all-time lists, O'Bannon is sixth in career points (1815) and 10th in rebounds (820). He was a two-time team MVP and led the Bruins twice in scoring and three times in rebounding. His UCLA jersey (#31) was retired in 1996. O'Bannon was the ninth player selected in the 1995 NBA Draft and he played two seasons averaging 5.0 points and 2.5 rebounds for New Jersey and Dallas before going overseas and playing in Europe.

* Accomplishments listed above were at the time of induction.