We Reminisce: Ed O’Bannon
Remember Ed O’Bannon? The McDonald’s High School All-American, who led UCLA to an NCAA title (30 points and 17 rebounds in that game) and was the ninth pick in the 1995 draft? Well although his NBA career never panned out, O’Bannon is still keeping on, nowadays as a promotions manager for Findlay, a family-owned collection of car dealerships in Henderson, Nev.
In a great article by the New York Daily News, “Ed-O” talks about life after basketball, where he says he doesn’t follow the NBA, and barely tracks college hoops.
To me, that’s crazy for a guy that averaged 20.4 points (53% FG, 43% 3-point) and 8.3 rebounds per game in ’95, good enough to earn him the John Wooden Award (which sits above the television at home) and the Oscar Robertson Trophy that year. Not to mention, his No. 31 was also retired by the Bruins.
In case you were wondering if O’Bannon can still get buckets, he apparently doesn’t even play pickup ball anymore, and hasn’t for the past two years. The last game he played two years ago, O’Bannon walked into a 24-hour gym and met a streetballer who wanted to prove he could hang with an NBA-er.
“This guy,” he said. “He just kept coming at me, with something to say after every basket. What did I have to prove? After a while, I said fine – I ran off six straight points, and we won the game.”
Classic.
Source: New York Daily News
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February 9th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Lady Luck says:
Oh wow…hadn’t thought about the O’Bannon’s in ages. Thanks for the “where are they now” updates. Keep em comin!.
Actually you can update us on all the Bruins from that team….Toby Bailey, The little PG that was quick and sweet(can’t remember his name), Montross….
February 9th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Shrink This says:
I remember mercilessly booing the Raps for taking Damon over Ed that year…
February 9th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Russ says:
^^^tyus edney i believe is who you are thinking of. then there is also ed’s brother charles.
February 9th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Big North says:
I remember Charles murdering that McD’s All-America game.
February 9th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
SayItAintSo says:
Cam’ron DOLLAR – Assistant coach for the U of Washington Basketball team… getting chubby these days though
February 9th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Taj says:
He was Sick… Those where great times to watch college hoops. UCLA was runnin it… UCONN was nice with Ray… GTOWN and AI… Michigan and the Fab Five… NC.. with Montross, Vince, Capel… Duke…
February 9th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
It’s very strange that a great college baller like him does not follow hoops anymore. I’m sure this isn’t the case, but it makes him sound bitter at the game for not being able to have a fulfilling pro career.
February 9th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
“This guy,” he said. “He just kept coming at me, with something to say after every basket. What did I have to prove? After a while, I said fine – I ran off six straight points, and we won the game.”
Classic.
February 9th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
calvin brodus says:
That Bruins squad was so badass. I thought Captain E.O. was gonna take over the league when he got drafted. I’m still surprised that neither he nor Toby Bailey panned out once they hit the nba.
February 9th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Sho-Nuff says:
Never draft someone with two creaky knees in the top 10.
The Nets will NEVER learn that.
February 9th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Heckler...formerly 'yallallreadyknow' says:
who knew george zidek would have the best (and longest) nba career out of all them ’95 bruins.
HAHAHA
February 9th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
TJ 2 says:
Him not following the NBA or the NCAA anymore after doing all that, is probably why he didnt pan out, he probably just didnt love it like that.
February 9th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Vinny says:
great starting 5-they had to be to win a national title with that clown harrick as there coach,lol!
always remember the end to end layup by edney( in like 2.4 seconds) to keep them alive in the tournament!
February 9th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Mad Max says:
@ heckler- why do you assume anyone gives a shit who you formerly posted as?
Sincerely Mad Max (formerly ‘Mad Max’)
February 9th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
E$ says:
I was BIG on the O’bannon boys, nice “TROY” moment
February 9th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
Wasn’t Dan Gadzuric on that team?
February 9th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
chronically_ill says:
Nah, Gadzuric played with B-Diddy, Earl Watson and Jerome Moiso. I think Matt Barnes was on that squad as well.
February 9th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
doc (i like kobe AND bron) says:
I think he still follow the game.He just mad he was a bust.He was the shit in college though.