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The Sports Xchange

OVERVIEW

Ovinton J'Anthony Mayo made his first dunk in the seventh grade at a small YMCA gym in West Virginia, and ever since has lived in the national spotlight.

When he began playing basketball in fifth grade, Mayo has worn No. 32 in honor of Magic Johnson. A featured personality on countless sports shows and in virtually every sports magazine, the talented freshman lived up to the title of his favorite movie: "He Got Game."

Mayo is a dynamic all-around player widely regarded as one the top players in this draft class. He has tremendous basketball instincts and natural skills, playing both guard positions during his one season with the Trojans. He patterns his style of play after his favorite active player, Kobe Bryant, and tries to emulate Bryant's skills, focus and determination.

Mayo does have his detractors. Recently he had to emphatically deny allegations that he accepted cash and gifts in violation of NCAA rules and said his accuser might be striking back after Mayo severed ties. The school recently distributed an interview between Mayo and the Los Angeles Times.

Louis Johnson, a former Mayo confidant who worked as a sportswriter, claimed L.A. events promoter Rodney Guillory was given a new luxury sports utility vehicle and about $200,000 in cash, funneling a portion of what he received to Mayo on behalf of a sports agent. Johnson, who made the accusations on a segment of ESPN's "Outside the Lines," said he was an associate of Guillory's before a falling out.

Mayo had just completed his last exam at Southern California when he paused to speak to a reporter.

"I can't speak for what Rodney has done," he said. "God forbid, he hasn't done anything. But I know for a fact that I haven't accepted anything."

Mayo stated that he would cooperate with investigations by the NCAA and Pac-10 Conference after a report he accepted thousands of dollars in prohibited extra benefits, both before and during the one season he played basketball for Southern California.

Johnson said the SUV and cash Guillory received came from Bill Duffy Associates Sports Management, and he produced receipts to show that Guillory had provided Mayo with food, clothes and other services. When Mayo announced he was leaving USC to turn pro, he also announced that his agent would be BDA vice president Calvin Andrews. Duffy told the Sports Business Journal late Tuesday that he had documentation proving his agency had not broken rules.

Mayo said he wasn't worried about the receipts because "you can get a (bunch) of receipts without any trail." Johnson claimed a flat-screen television in Mayo's dorm room was a gift from Guillory, but Mayo said he had brought it with him from home in Huntington, West Virginia. He also said he paid his own way when he went shopping and ate with Guillory.

"I understand compliance and I understand the rules," Mayo said. "Any meal, I wouldn't pay for everybody but I would at least pay my end. When I went to go shop every once in a while, (Guillory) might have taken me to the store in his vehicle, but he didn't pay for any clothes for me."

Mayo suggested Johnson was motivated by revenge. Mayo said he told Guillory to sever their relationship with Johnson because Johnson's conviction for attempting to sell cocaine "could be a distraction knowing how the NBA investigates" prospective players. "I don't know if (Johnson) took it and wanted to come back after Rodney," Mayo said. "I heard that he's trying to do a book, so more than anything it could be a publicity stunt."

Mayo apologized for the criticism directed at USC and Trojans athletic director Mike Garrett because of the allegations and said he was upset he had been portrayed in a light similar to Reggie Bush, who has been accused of taking illegal extra benefits from a failed sports marketer.

"If you rode to my mother's house, it's still a two-bedroom house, one floor," Mayo said. "She still drives the same Toyota Corolla that she drove for the last three years and is still trying to meet ends. So for them to say I received $30,000 or whatever the case is, I definitely don't think that's enough to sell out myself and my family."

Following the interview, Mayo slipped into a new red Porsche Cayenne GTS with two friends and drove off, saying he was headed to Chicago for workouts in advance of next month's NBA draft. He and Bill Duffy also severed their relationship.

Mayo commuted across the West Virginia/Kentucky border for grade school to attend Rose Hill Christian School. In Kentucky, a high school athlete does not have to be in ninth grade to play for the varsity, so as a seventh-grader, his high school basketball career began. He averaged 23.1 points for the varsity team while in seventh grade and received his first recruiting letter.

In eighth grade, Mayo averaged 20.5 points per game and was selected as a first-team All-State player by the Louisville Courier. He then moved to Cincinnati to live with his "adopted grandfather" and AAU coach Dwaine Barnes and enrolled at North College Hill High, where his arrival was broadcast live on the local television stations.

Mayo spent his first three years at North College Hill High School before moving back home to West Virginia, where he lettered at Huntington High School as a senior. He earned West Virginia Player of the Year and was named EA Sports National High School Boys Basketball Player of the Year. The three-time All-American added USA Today, McDonald's and Parade national honors.

At North College Hill, Mayo led the team to two state titles during his three seasons. During his career at that school, he averaged 29.2 points and became the school's all-time leader in points (2,033), points in a season (748) and assists (505). In fact, his point totals in each of his three seasons there are the top three scoring marks in NCH school history.

In his freshman season, Mayo scored nearly 30 points per game while leading NCH to a 21-1 record, losing in the Ohio Division III sectional tournament finals (58-47) to Reading. As a sophomore, he averaged 27.4 points and 7.8 rebounds and became only the second sophomore named Ohio's Mr. Basketball, with LeBron James being the first. He helped lead NCH to a 27-1 record and to the school's first state Division III basketball title.

As a junior, Mayo averaged 28.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.3 steals a game and led NCH to a 26-1 record and its second consecutive Division III state title. He was voted Ohio's Mr. Basketball for the second straight season and his team finished the season ranked third in the USA Today national poll.

Back home in Huntington High School for his senior year, Mayo led the team to a 25-2 record, a third straight state title and the highest ever national ranking (third) for a Mountain state team. He averaged 28.2 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game.

In his only season at Southern California, Mayo was named to the All-Pac-10 Conference first-team, adding Pac-10 All-Freshman Team, NABC District XV Team and honorable mention All-Pac-10 Defensive team honors. He also received Wooden Award and Naismith Award consideration. He added All-American third-team accolades from Rivals.com and CollegeHoops.net.

Mayo led USC in scoring (20.7), steals (51), 3-pointers (88) and assists (109), was second in free-throw percentage (.803) and third in rebounds (150). He established the school freshman season-record for points (684) and 3-point baskets. His point total was the second most ever in a season by a Trojan and the 3-point basket total ranks third all-time at USC.

Mayo's scoring average of 20.7 is the best ever by a USC freshman and trails only Shareef Abdur-Rahim of California, who set the Pac-10 Conference freshman record with an average of 21.1 points per game in 1995-96. After the season, he decided to forgo his eligibility declared for the 2008 NBA Draft.

"I am so thankful for the fans and alumni at USC and around the nation that have been so supportive of me and my teammates throughout the season," said Mayo. "I'd like to express my appreciation to my coaches and teammates for their support in one of the most important decisions I've ever made. I will be entering the 2008 NBA Draft. Attending USC has been such a great experience for me and has really helped prepare me for my next step in life."

Southern California head coach Tim Floyd offered his support to Mayo and his family regarding his decision. "This comes as no surprise," said Floyd. "We are appreciative of everything O.J. did for all of us the year he was with us. We wish him well. I have no doubt that he will be a great professional."

ANALYSIS

Positives: Talented player with good maturity on the court and also deals with the media well, having been thrust into the national spotlight since the seventh grade ... Known as a tough competitor on the court, as he does not let off-court issues affect his play ... Needs to answer character issues, but he is all business on the court ... College life has brought about newfound patience in his game -- Mayo doesn't feel the need to carry the team on his shoulders ... Shows very good body control and the strength to absorb contact in the lane ... Has the versatility to be equally effective at both ends of the court ... While he can capably run the point, his scoring touch and ability to get into the lane at will makes him more suited for the "2" at the next level; he's too valuable of an outside shooter to be saddled with ball-handling responsibilities but is capable of playing the point ... What sets him apart from most guards in this draft is his athleticism. He uses quickness, balance and body control to create his shot where others can't (with a defender in his face, shooting off-balance) ... Moves around the court with a gliding motion, but also has the stop-and-go action to quickly reverse direction and make sharp cuts ... Quick to set his feet when catching a pass and firing the ball ... Can handle the ball with either hand or move to his left and right with the same easy motion ... Very effective going to the basket, showing great creativity with the ball in his hands ... Excels drawing contact on the way to the basket and is a steady shooter from the charity stripe, showing proper elbow action and a quick release ... Coming off the dribble, he is very good at fading back to create enough space to fire off a smooth jumper ... Uses a quick jab step to back his man off; has the court presence to create shots for himself or others ... Not overly explosive, but is quick cutting to the basket and shows a very nice scoring touch, whether coming off pick-and-rolls or on isolation plays ... Knows how to create the spacing he needs to get off NBA 3-point attempts ... Very smooth when stepping back to deliver his pull-up jumper ... Better served as a combo guard, but is a good ball handler and passer (has a lot of similarity to Chauncey Billups in his game, especially when handling the ball) ... Difficult matchup for smaller point guards; they might have the speed to mirror him, but Mayo has too much natural strength for shorter and weaker defenders to impede his progress to the basket ... Disruptive getting his hands into the action and is active in passing lanes ... Can make dazzling no-look passes, but has the court vision to stay in control and push the ball out to an open outlet when double-teamed ... Has a bag of tricks on the way to the basket, as he seems like a natural when he puts the ball on the floor ... With his low dribble, he has no problem bringing the ball up the court against pressure ... Solid in the pick-and-roll offense ... Very good at creating his shot off the dribble and looks comfortable putting up long-range shots from the outside (40.9 percent 3-point shooter) ... Flies past defenders coming off the dribble and has smooth, effortless shooting mechanics ... Loves to play in the transition game, where he uses his explosion to fly past the defender ... Does a good job coming off screens, finishing well with either a soft floater or a pull-up shot ... Struggled early in the season to make his shot vs. double-teams, but he started using his body more to draw contact, resulting in more opportunities at the foul line the second half of the season ... Not a "diva" -- will battle for loose balls and has a good defensive mindset and the length and instincts to be a consistently disruptive defender ... Applies great pressure on perimeter shooters and works hard to maintain position in front of his man ... His wingspan and lateral quickness pose lots of problems for wing players, as Mayo does not mind doing the "dirty work" applying pressure on the outside.

Negatives: Has done a good job of "shutting out" off-field distractions, but has to answer allegations over his dealings with an agent and runner alleged to have financially taken care of him in recent years ... Also had an off-court fight with another student and some teams are concerned about his character ... Likes to be on the move rather than setting his feet first ... In transition, he sometimes gets too anxious to get a shot off rather than scan the floor for an open teammate ... At the point, he can maintain more of a scorer's mentality than some coaches might like ... Good defender, but while he showed better maturity as the season progressed, he tried to do too much offensively early in the year, leading to poor shot selection and turnovers ... Can play the point, but his decision-making process suffers when he is asked to play floor leader (better without having that responsibility and is more effective roaming the open court) ... Was getting bounced out of the paint too often earlier in his freshman season and rather than attack the rim, he started getting too comfortable with his outside shooting, relying more on executing from 3-point range when he should have been attacking the lanes ... Double-teams give him a lot of trouble and he tends to try to force too many shots ... Better drawing contact in the second half of last year, but must continue to play with that aggression rather than settling for jumpers ... By shying away from contact earlier in the year, he did not get to the foul line as often as a prolific scorer should (does not have great confidence executing his shot in a crowd) ... More comfortable in an up-tempo attack and tends to lose focus playing the half-court game (will get too reckless on defense) ... Gets too enamored with making the highlight reel play.

Compares To: GARY PAYTON-ex-Seattle ... Mayo has excellent athleticism, is taller than most combo guards and has a good blend of length, strength and body control. He is a classic scorer with the creativity to flip the ball into the basket with either hand. He seemed to shy away from contact early in the season, parking along the perimeter more than he attacked the basket, but his high arc generally saw him get his shot in and over the head of outstretched defenders, hitting his treys at a 40.9-percent clip. He has very good stop-and-go action, but is more comfortable shooting on the move than when setting his feet. His perimeter defense has greatly improved, as he uses his length and lateral agility to face up to his man with good balance. He is turnover prone when he has to handle the ball for too long, as he struggles getting it out past double team activity. He will get into a "must-shoot mode" and his shot selection will be questioned. Also to be determined by his pro coach -- Is he a "1" or "2" guard?

CAREER NOTES

Mayo averaged 20.7 points per game in 2007-08, the second-best scoring average by a freshman in Pac-10 Conference history, topped by Shareef Abdur-Rahim of California (21.1 points per game in 1995-96) ... His 20.7-point scoring average also rank eighth on USC's overall season-record chart ... His 684 points scored rank second on the school season-record list behind Harold Miner (789 in 1991-92) ... Made 237 field goals in 2007-08, the fourth-highest season total in Trojans annals, topped by Harold Miner (250 in 1991-92), John Rudometkin (240 in 1960-61) and Nick Young (239, 2006-07) ... Mayo's 88 three-point field goals rank fourth on the school record list behind Phil Glenn (93 in 1992-93) and Dwayne Hackett (91 in 1992-93) ... Made seven 3-pointers in the 2008 Arizona State game (3/01), two short of the school record of nine by Anthony Pendleton vs. Long Beach State (12/09/87) ... His 32 points vs. Mercer was the most ever by a USC player in his collegiate debut ... His 37 points vs. Arizona State (3/01/08) was the second-highest game total by a USC freshman, topped by Cliff Robinson vs. California (39 points, 2/02/78) ... His four 30-point scoring performances are the most in a season by a Southern Cal freshman.

Second-team All-American selection by The NBA Draft Report, earning third-team honors from Rivals.com and CollegeHoops.net ... All-Pac-10 Conference first-team and Pac-10 Defensive Team honorable mention, adding league All-Freshman Team accolades ... NABC District XV Team ... Received Wooden Award and Naismith Award consideration ... Started 31-of-32 games in his only season at Southern California, setting the school season-record for freshmen with a 20.7-point scoring average, the second-best season total by a Pac-10 freshman in the history of the conference ... His total of 684 points rank second on USC's annual record chart ... Made 237-of-536 field goals (44.2 percent ) and 88-of-215 3-point attempts (40.9 percent ) ... Shot 80.3 percent from the free throw line (122-of-152) ... Pulled down 150 rebounds (4.5 per game), along with 109 assists (3.3 per game), 51 steals (1.5 per game) and 13 blocked shots ... Had 117 turnovers ... Scored in double figures in all but the Feb. 17 clash vs. UCLA ... Scored 20 or more points 19 times ... Led USC in scoring 24 times and led or tied for team high in assists 17 times.

2007-08 GAME ANALYSIS

Scored 32 points in the opener vs. Mercer to set a school freshman debut record, a Galen Center record for points in a game and the sixth-most points ever in a game by a USC freshman, as he also had seven rebounds and hit four 3-pointers ... Led the squad with 29 points, hit three 3-pointers, doled out four assists and grabbed four rebounds in the 85-75 win at South Carolina ... Had 21 points in the 57-53 win vs. Miami (Ohio), as he also had a key steal at the end of the game ... Came off the bench to score 13 points vs. Southern Illinois and put in 18 points vs. Oklahoma to earn Anaheim Classic MVP honors ... Added eight boards and 20 points vs. California-Riverside ... Led USC with 19 points vs. Kansas with five rebounds and three steals, followed by 16 points, three assists and a pair of steals vs. Memphis ... Tallied 18 points, had four rebounds and a season-high six assists vs. Cal Poly ... Poured in 34 points on 12-of-21 field goals and had three rebounds with three assists in his Pac-10 debut vs. California ... Put up 22 points & seven rebounds vs. Washington State and totaled 15 points, five assists & four boards vs. Washington ... Had 16 points (14 in the second half) with four assists and a steal at UCLA ... Added 19 points and five assists at Oregon State ... Registered 25 points, 20 in the second half at Oregon and hit a then career-best five three-pointers while leading USC with eight boards ... Scored 32 points, including 18 of USC's final 24 vs. Oregon (2/21), as he tied a then season high with five three-pointers ... Hit on 7-of-10 three pointers for 37 points vs. Arizona State, the second-highest point total in a game by a Southern Cal freshman ... Had 22 points, five assists and matched a career high with nine rebounds vs. California, followed by 25 points vs. Stanford ... Facing Arizona State in the Pac-10 Tournament, Mayo tallied 23 points with six assists and then put in 15 points with four assists and six rebounds vs. UCLA ... In the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, Mayo closed out his career with 20 points and five assists vs. Kansas State.

INJURY REPORT

No injuries reported.

SUMMER BASKETBALL

Prior to attending high school, Mayo moved to Cincinnati to live with his "adopted grandfather" and AAU coach Dwaine Barnes ... Scored a game-high 27 points at the Roundball Classic held in Chicago and was named East Team MVP, as he hit 11-of-18 shots.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Commuted across the West Virginia/Kentucky border for grade school to attend Rose Hill Christian School (Ashland, Ky.) ... In Kentucky, a high school athlete does not have to be in ninth grade to play for the varsity. Mayo began his varsity career as a seventh grader ... Averaged 23.1 points for the varsity team in seventh grade and received his first recruiting letter ... In eighth grade, Mayo averaged 20.5 points per game and was selected as a first-team all-state pick by the Louisville Courier.

HIGH SCHOOL

Spent his first three years at North College Hill (Cincinnati) High School ... The three-time All-American added USA Today, McDonald's and Parade national honors ... Led the team to two state titles during his three seasons ... During his career at that school, he averaged 29.2 points and became the school's all-time leader in points (2,033), points in a season (748) and assists (505) ... His point totals in each of his three seasons are the top three scoring marks in NCH school history ... During his freshman season, Mayo scored nearly 30 points per game while leading NCH to a 21-1 record, losing in the Ohio Division III sectional tournament finals (58-47) to Reading ... As a sophomore, he averaged 27.4 points and 7.8 rebounds and became only the second sophomore named Ohio's Mr. Basketball, with LeBron James being the first ... Helped lead NCH to a 27-1 record and to the school's first state Division III basketball title ... As a junior, Mayo averaged 28.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.3 steals a game and led NCH to a 26-1 record and its second consecutive Division III state title ... Voted Ohio's Mr. Basketball for the second straight season and his team finished the season ranked third in the USA Today national poll ... Also set the school record for points in a game, as he poured in 56 on Dec. 17, 2004 vs. Lockland (Oh.) ... At Huntington (W.V.) High School as a senior, he earned West Virginia Player of the Year and was named EA Sports National High School Boys Basketball Player of the Year ... Led the team to a 25-2 record, a third-straight state title and the highest ever national ranking (third) for a Mountain state team ... Averaged 28.2 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game ... Had a triple-double in the championship game, scoring 41 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and handing out 11 assists ... Scored in the 95th percentile on the ACT.

PERSONAL

Business major ... Son of Alisha Mayo and Kenny Ziegler ... Father also played basketball at Huntington High School ... Given the name of Ovinton J'Anthony, as his grandfather was named Ovinton and his mother liked the name J'Anthony ... Has worn the number 32 since the fifth grade in honor of Magic Johnson ... Born Ovinton J'Anthony Mayo on 11/05/87 ... Resides in Huntington, West Virginia.