Published: Aug. 10, 2011 Updated: 11:44 p.m.
By JEFF MILLER COLUMNIST THE ORANGE COUNTY [email protected]

IRVINE – It wasn't just that he played basketball. He was a basketball player. That's what he did. It was obvious in his body, in his ability, obvious especially in a place clear out of sight — in his heart.So why couldn't this guy see it, too?

Charles Jock was a power forward who, on his way to stretching to a lankly 6-foot-4, also could shift to center and, if necessary, even shooting guard. He was good enough — he just knew it — to play in junior college or maybe at a D-III school.

So why did this coach, this crazy man with all the enthusiasm, this guy who would start talking, start selling, and just wouldn't stop doing either, keep bugging him about coming out for track and field? Charles hated running, totally abhorred it.