Lorenzo Mata-Real learned at a young age that life would not always be fair.
His father, Federico Mata, left the family when he was 4, maybe 5. His mother, Reyna, worked long hours to provide for her only child, who spoke Spanish as his parents did and learned English by watching educational programs on PBS.
Lorenzo grew to be a massive 6 feet 9 and 240 pounds, a voracious rebounder and persistent shot blocker as a center at South Gate High. He earned a scholarship to UCLA and worked his way up to starting all 36 games at center last season on the Bruins' Final Four team, averaging 23.1 minutes, 6.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks as a junior.
It was his greatest moment, but his father could not share it.
Federico Mata has been in prison in Texas for the last three-plus years for reasons Lorenzo said he cannot recall. More likely, he just wants to forget.
That may be his way of coping, of again making the best of the difficult hand he has been dealt. It's a skill Mata-Real has called upon regularly this season after losing his starting job to freshman Kevin Love.
Mata-Real could have sulked.
"I was tempted, but that's not me," he said.
He could have resented Love. Could have shunned him or thrown an especially nasty elbow here or not-so-subtle shove there on the practice floor to test the freshman's mettle.
Instead, Mata-Real -- who added his remarried mother's surname to the back of his jersey this season -- has responded with admirable grace. He has taken it upon himself to tutor Love in the necessities and nuances of defense, and his efforts are welcomed by Love, whose play at the defensive end sometimes falls short of Coach Ben Howland's standards.
"I really pick up on him as much as I can," Love said Tuesday, before the Bruins practiced in advance of games at Washington State on Thursday and Washington on Sunday.
"You wait till senior night. He's going to get the biggest ovation you've seen in a long time. Not only because of what he's done here, being on two Final Four teams, but because he's such a great kid."
Because of Love, Mata-Real and the Bruins might reach the Final Four again this spring.
That's what matters most, Mata-Real said, more than his disappointment over having his minutes cut to 16.8 per game and not starting a single game as a senior.
