The most highly touted guard in the High School ranks since LeBron James, O.J. Mayo, another Ohio native, is rumored to be declaring his intentions to play at USC following the 2007 season.  Standing 6'4" and 210 pounds, he is a threat for a triple-double every night on the floor.  It looks like he will go against his previous statements of playing for Cincinnati or wherever Bob Huggins landed (Kansas State) and go where the sun is always out and the ballroom dance classes are first-rate.

USC is currently dealing with the loss of freshman point guard Ryan Francis, who was tragically shot in Louisiana when he went to visit his family.  Coach Tim Floyd (yes Bulls fans, that Tim Floyd) lucked out when it was Mayo who contacted him.  Floyd and USC had not been pursuing Mayo until he called and expressed interest in attending the school.

Reports have it that Mayo is going to commit because of its location within a big media market.  He apparently saw the results of Heisman winners Matt Leinart (10th pick) and Reggie Bush (2nd).  The biggest sell, perhaps, was the lack of a go-to player for this team in the foreseeable future, which would put him at the forefront instantly. 

Coach Floyd is not complaining about any of the reasons that Mayo is considering USC.  Floyd's next job will be to visit Mayo's teammate, Bill "Sky" Walker, the 2nd rated recruit in the 2007 class, who has expressed his intentions to play with Mayo in college as well.  

Looks like USC may be the 2007 version of Ohio State.

On a side note:  Canseco got traded after 1 game? I guess that knuckleball isn't all that it was cracked up to be.