INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Luc Richard Mbah a Moute grew up in Cameroon passionate about playing with a round ball. Now, five years after trading soccer for basketball, the freshman’s innate rebounding ability is a big reason UCLA is in the Final Four.

Freshmen often hit a wall late in the season. Not Mbah a Moute. He’s shooting 59 percent from the floor, although only 52 percent from the line, and leads the Bruins in rebounding and steals during the NCAA tournament.

“His No. 1 attribute that makes him great is his toughness, competitiveness and his pride,” coach Ben Howland said. “He is unique.”

Mbah a Moute has given the Bruins an improved presence in the paint, leading them in rebounding in all but seven games. When he’s not inside using his long arms to grab a rebound, he’s guarding opponents out on the wing.

“I never worked on rebounding; it just came naturally,” he said. “You got to have a feel for the ball. It’s something you’re just gifted with.”

Any time he scores or grabs a rebound, Bruin fans salute him with long, low shouts of “Luuuuuccccc.”

It’s easier than saying his regal-sounding name, which is pronounced Luke Ree-SHARD Umbah-a-MOO-teh.

Back home, Mbah a Moute is better known as a prince whose father is chief of a small rural village outside the capital of Yaounde.

“It’s an honor,” he said, explaining that his own royal duties are limited to participating in ceremonies, dances and festivals while wearing traditional garb.

“When I’m done with everything, I want to go back to my country,” he said. “I love my country. It’s a beautiful place and it’s home. You always want to be home.”

His father, Camille Moute a Bidias, oversees life in Bia Messe, where about 4,000 people look to him for help with jobs, construction, weddings and funerals.

“He goes to the village every weekend, making sure everything is going all right, there’s no problem with anybody,” said Mbah a Moute, whose family lives an hour or so away in Yaounde.

Eventually, Mbah a Moute’s father will choose one of his six sons to succeed him. Typically, it would be the oldest son, and Luc is third-youngest among his brothers and sisters.

“Being in charge of a lot of people like that, it’s a hard thing to do, so it has a pretty big significance,” said Alfred Aboya, Mbah a Moute’s freshman teammate, who is from Yaounde. “His dad has to do everything.”

Mbah a Moute has done a lot for the Bruins (31-6) in the tournament. He had 14 points and 10 rebounds in their surprising comeback win against Gonzaga. He made a tough catch on a lob pass in traffic and scored the go-ahead layup with nine seconds remaining and then scrambled for a loose ball to give UCLA possession with four seconds to go.

Exciting stuff for a kid whose journey from Cameroon to UCLA began in 2003, when he arrived in the United States speaking little English but knowing basketball could earn him a spot in college.

Mbah a Moute’s parents have yet to see him play in the tournament, although his friends in Cameroon have caught some games on replay.

“I explained that this is kind of big,” he said, smiling. “They really don’t know.”

His infrequent calls home – Cameroon is nine hours ahead of Los Angeles – contribute to Mbah a Moute’s homesickness. He commiserates with Aboya, especially when it comes to food.

Mbah a Moute’s favorites include sanga ndole, bobolo and kpen ke baze – foods derived from corn, maize and cassava, whose roots resemble sweet potatoes and are the source of tapioca pudding.

“I heard there’s some place in LA, but I haven’t had time to go out and look for it,” Mbah a Moute said.

He and Aboya are each other’s support systems, usually speaking French when they’re together.

“Back home, people are really, really friendly. We grew up playing the same games and doing the same things,” Aboya said.

“It’s different here because we don’t have the same connection with kids. We’re homesick most of the time, but we know we’re here for a purpose and you try and make your dream happen.”

That dream includes adding another national championship banner to the 11 already hanging in Pauley Pavilion.

AP-ES-03-30-06 1918EST