The USC freshman guard told the local scribes out in L.A. that his plan is to return for his sophomore season unless he is guaranteed to become a lottery pick next year.
``Right now, I plan on staying more than one year unless my situation changes and I have an opportunity to make a living for my family,” Mayo told the Los Angeles Times. “Right now, I’m focusing on my education, and I’m hoping next year if I do return – which I plan on – I’d like to go into business management and real estate investments.”
This is why I’ll take Mayo’s former teammate, Kansas State freshman Bill Walker, over him any day of the week. Walker is real and says it like it is.
There’s no chance Mayo sticks around beyond this season – whether he’s got a guarantee to go in the lottery or not.
USC coach Tim Floyd has one year with Mayo and despite the Trojans coach gushing about his prized frosh, we’re still not sold on the chemistry at USC.
Head Start for Pelphrey
Arkansas coach John Pelphrey has seven days under his belt with his new teamand thus far, he likes what he sees.
``If we play hard and serve each other (that's Pelphrey's way of saying they need to be unselfish), we have a chance to be competitive in every game," he said.
Pelphrey won't have senior wing Sonny Weems for this weekend's trip to Cancun after Weems broke a bone in his left (non-shooting) hand on Tuesday. Weems is expected to be out for at least a month, so don't be surprised if you see a big lineup this weekend and at times, during the regular season.
Pelphrey has also been without starting point guard Gary Ervin (death in the family) for a few of the seven days of practice that the team has had leading up to the trip.
Pelphrey realizes that Ervin, the team's lone proven point guard, is the key. Ervin, a New York native, has been erratic and enigmatic in his career, which includes two years at Mississippi State. The backup is sophomore combo guard Stefan Welsh, who pulled a hamstring after just 30 minutes in the first practice.
Patrick Beverley's work ethic and motor has impressed the Razorbacks head man more than just about anything. ``I love him and wouldn't trade him for anything. I love how hard he plays," Pelphrey said. However, the frontline consisting of Steven Hill, Darian Townes, Charles Thomas, Michael Washington and freshman Michael Sanchez also has Pelphrey excited.
The 6-foot-8 Sanchez, who has struggled with injuries for the past year or so, is in terrific shape and has gotten nearly all of his explosiveness back. ``He's been tremendous," Pelphrey said. "I can't tell you how fast he is. He wins every sprint. He can be an all-league player down the road."
Arkansas will l;eave Saturday morning and play two games - one on Saturday and one on Sunday - in Cancun before heading home for classes on Monday.
``My biggest thing with the trip is that anytime you have a coaching change, there's going to be some anxiety with the players," Pelphrey said. "They don't know how to view me and how they fit in and on top of that, we've got six seniors who have been here for three years and have nine months left."
This trip - and more specifically the 10 practices that allowed Pelphrey to get to know his players - could be vital to the team's success this season.
``I think when we start practicing in October, we'll be OK," he said. "They'll know what to expect."
RANDOM NOTES:
Louisville sophomore point guard Edgar Sosa suffered a sprained left ankle in a pickup game and will be off the court for the next month or so. … Quinton Watkins didn’t qualify academically at Illinois and now the Illini will be short on shooting guards – after Jamar Smith will sit out the season. … Auburn signee Tyrell #### did not qualify and could wind up at Southern Miss. … Don’t be surprised if Damian Saunders, who didn’t get into Marquette, lands at Duquesne and plays for his ex-coach, Bill Barton, a recent hire of Ron Everhart’s.
Goodman's probably right, OJ probably wont stay at USC, but how or why would he predict chemistry issues? the guy has wont at every single level he's played on. has state titles in two different states. OJ clearly wants to be a superstar and he likes the attention. So What? if the kid wins, whatever, how are you going to argue against w's....it's gotten to the point where OJ is so scrutnized that scouts have somehow convinced themselves that this guy isn't the best freshman in the country...theres a reason why you've found the holes in his game, its bc you've been watching him since he was 12!! If you watched any player that closely for that long you could find negative aspects of their game....my main point is that you shouldn't try and vilify an 18 year old because you've grown tired of watching him for so long and some of the things he says/does aggravates you...just let it play out and see how it does. report what you see!
I doubt many care whether Mayo stays at USC or not. What I like about his statements is that younger players might notice his consideration of the educational opportunity being offered to him - and not just the basketball opportunity. Other players who don't have the special talent he has are hearing about some solid majors that can be pursued, majors that can serve them well down the line whether they are just college players or pros. Instead of being pushed or steered into "sociology", maybe more will consider alternatives.
It makes me laugh when they talk such garbage before he even starts his first practice as a freshman. Personally.....i would rather have 5 players that will play well together, and get wins for the program, than some fly by night, thats already making comments like he is.......what a joke. I hope he's a flop like so many others who everyone thought were gonna be "all that" their first year of college. After all, ultimately......his mouth doesnt make the decision on how much money he makes..........his game does!!
I mean, there has to be a reason Mayo isn't going to either UNC or Duke... Coach K (@!#@#) and Roy Williams (da man!) have stayed far far away from this cat... We don't want him in baby blue!
OJ has been basketballs phenom child since before he was a teenager. you dont just lose that talent jumping from highschool to college. who cares how long he stays weather its one year or four, he is going to help turn USC into final four team easily.
There is no way OJ Mayo will turn USC into a Final Four team, the kid is too selfish of player, that does not have a very good jumpshot. I would take an injuried Walker well before I took Mayo. Walker is a better all around player. When Walker and Mayo played together at North College Hill, Walker was the catalyst of that team.
Let me put it this way, can anyone name a player from Washington State University? Probably not, but they are ranked in the top 15 in preseason polls. The reason is that they are a team of good but unselfish, team-oriented players..not one superstar prima dona. USC will never be a real BBall power until they figure this out, but then they are in LA...celeb central...pretty sad. Go away OJ, let real team oriented players play in college ball, the NBA is best for you...one on one BS Ball.
OJ as great against smaller, less talented players. I have watched this kid play since he was a 12 y/o at Rose Hill, Ky....
His career will be a joke and he will be in trouble before you know it. He does not have the maturity to handle the spot light....
I say good riddance when he goes...... and it will be soon...
mayo is selfish and overrated at north college hill he had walker and ellis. at huntington he was the fifth best player on the team. he ll bomb at usc.
some of these comments are making me laugh im not saying that oj's high school career will translate into instant success in college or pros but how many of you guys saw him play? i watched oj play alot in high school both in ohio and w va. im a huge bill walker fan but oj was the best player everytime he stepped on the floor i saw the game courtside vs oak hill as a junior against beasley, lawson and co. and he could not be stopped, not to mention all the big games as a senior. good comment mikegolfjr and walleyone he has a great ability to score the ball and is a very good 3 point shooter mark my word he will average 20 a game at usc
hei, not doubting his talent...just wondering if he can play a team game...averaging 20 points a game and losing doesn't impress me. I wish him the best, nothing personal, but will his focus be on helping USC win or getting his stats?
zip that is still an assumption which is what everybody wants to do w/ him he has had his trouble but on the court there is no doubt he is a player and a winner at that only time will tell the story. has he ever given anybody a reason to think he is only interested in his stats keep in mind he has the type of game where he is the scoring point guard its not that he is a ball hog its just when your like that you take your shots in some ways i understand the questions and doubts but maybe the best is yet to come
OJ Mayo committing to school..lol.. The NBA 19 age rule at it's finest... This guy is just another good basketball player who could care less about getting a top quality education for free...
So what if the Mayo leaves after one year that's what college basketball is now! it's set up for a player to come in and put in a year and go on to the next level it's not the love of playing for the game it's all about the money. So don't hate on Mayo for doing what so many before him has done (they never came right out and said they would stay they made up some kind of story to until the day came for them to enter into the draft)You will never see another group of kid's come through and stay more than one year (like the 04 Gators) it's a sad thing that money run everything the love for the game is gone!!!!!!!!!!!!
scoring 20 or even 30 a game dont mean that he is gonna lead then to the final 4.... one scorer does not lead to wins every game just ask A.I. when he was in Philly.... you need a team to win not just one great/good/above average player
i think they should start making schools give up 4 years of scholorships per athlete then maybe they would be more willing to find guys that want an education or if that player leaves after one year the scholorship could be givin to another student for outstanding grades
Last edited by tdogg21@hotmail.com on September 6th at 7:11 AM.
well i'll say this now! just wait and see! he's a flash in the pan! he won't be able to hold his life together....... flash in the pan and then the wheels will come off!
dutchy my man why cant people pull for others that have gotten themselves into trouble and hope that they can make things right. USC will be just fine stop assuming oj will be selfish and drive the team in the ground. why is oj different than Oden Durant Conley Bryant James Garnett i could go on and on. All these comments are talking about how he doesnt care about the academics just the game i####uy is good enough to go to the league then go to the league.
Listen: Most of the people on here commenting about this young man don't even know him and are only reading what someone has written or will write aobut him. Why are so many people on here blaming him for leaving after one year? If anyone on here had the chance of playing in the league and making the money he could possibly make they would leave their jobs right this instant. So let the kid be a kid and let him play his game his way. If SC loses, it won't be totally his fault and if they get to big dance, it won't be all his doing either. I only wish that the N.B.A. would start looking at picking player to come into the league after their third or fourth year, that way kids learn to live a little and are more mature and are able to make even better decisions about their futures. Just a thought!
If I were a player that was a COUPLE of year's older than my so called "peers" , of course my talent level would be better. Nowday's these so called "stars" get held back in middle school just to elevate thier games to be better than other's that are truely in the correct age brackett.
Last edited by jek4life45 on September 10th at 7:23 AM.
you know he may be good but when we create all this hype around him hes being watched and that pressure might make him mess up. when you start predicting stars then they mess up. i didnt know who kevin durant was or greg oden before i saw them play in college. the only good ones are breakout stars who we never knew about. (at least in college. this isnt always true when they're in the pros)
Jeff Goodman is a senior college basketball writer for FOXSports.com - This is the only place you'll find continuous daily updates from the world of college basketball, so check back as often as you'd like.
