Mayo may turn USC recruit
Posted: Wednesday May 14, 2008 06:18AM ET
USC's top basketball recruit might change his college choice if the Trojans face severe sanctions by the NCAA over illegal extra benefits allegedly received by O.J. Mayo. DeMar DeRozan, one of the nation's most highly sought high school players, signed with USC in November, but his father and older half-brother said Tuesday he might consider other schools if the Trojans sustain a quick and heavy penalty. Compton High Coach Tony Thomas said he recently had been contacted by assistant coaches from two of the Final Four teams -- which were UCLA, North Carolina, Kansas and Memphis -- inquiring about DeRozan's availability.





Comments (35)
I SEEN DEROZAN PLAY WUT A MANCHILD.. HE LOOKS LIKE A MAN AMONG BOYS. AND HE LIVES RIGHT HERE BY THE HOOD UP IN COMPTON..
futureespnanalysis | 05/14/08, 06:29 AM
Report Offensive CommentUSC should have had issues with Bush and now will have issues with this mess.
This athlete would help any of those power teams...
drj0514 | 05/14/08, 08:09 AM
Report Offensive CommentIt serves USC right for going after that overrated, overhyped potential problem child. Guys like Mayo just can't wait for the riches, so programs like USC pay the price while O.J. will be in the NBA becoming the next Stephon Marbury. I love these guys who can't decide whether they're PG's or SG's, there's a reason why Chris Paul and Deron Williams are great players, they know what they are, they're not SG's trying to be PG's or vice-versa. Mark it down,Mayo will be a lower-than-average shooter who will hoist up a bunch of shots and produce hollow numbers while nobody who plays with him gets better. Just another Marbury who thinks he's an Iverson (who coincidentally, you can't win with either) who won't amount to much more than And1 material at the pro level.
Moe Syzlak | 05/14/08, 08:33 AM
Report Offensive CommentToo bad Mayo isn't overrated, and by the end of a year was a great team player dishing out the ball. Smart player. And if these allegations are true, I still don't care, this crap happens all over the place, blame the boosters if anything. Can't blame a guy if he's trying to help his family. If he falls to the Wolves I would love to watch him play.
KCMAC929 | 05/14/08, 08:56 AM
Report Offensive Comment"Uh oh" says DeRozan. "Mayo let the cat out of the bag, now i'll never get the money that was promised me. I better go somewhere else to get my cash"
cuerazo | 05/14/08, 09:05 AM
Report Offensive CommentNo Derozan, NO Lil Romeo Trojans. Better shape up.
LSUDYNASTY | 05/14/08, 09:14 AM
Report Offensive CommentI think it's safe to say now that USC has a serious problem of having their own, "DON'T ASK DON'T TELL" approach to this gray area of recruiting where they have others not associated with the program or school step in to take care of these kids. I do think they know that something is going on but don't know all the details. Just as long as no one with the school is associated, they believe they will be ok. Looks like they are wrong.
It's either that or the NCAA compliance division at USC is comprised of some of the clueless idiots who do not know how to do their job.
The Warden | 05/14/08, 09:24 AM
Report Offensive CommentExcellent comparison to Stephon Marbury - Moe
The reason I LOVE the 1 year rule is so all these SUPER-HYPED high schoolers can get actually SEEN playing against competition other than 16 years old HS'ers
Some excel some get exposed- but in the end....it makes the NBA better-
because they can weed out 'potential' and take PLAYERS
jgb | 05/14/08, 09:50 AM
Report Offensive CommentSeriously... this is a great write up about why the kids should just be allowed to receive gifts of money, but on top of the table where everyone can see it.
http://properbloggery.com/2008/05/13/quick-fix-for-oj/
Esa | 05/14/08, 11:24 AM
Report Offensive Commentso why did DeRozan pick USC in the first place? the coaching skills of coach Floyd? the scholarships available to other players? the academic excellence of the school? the NBA attention paid to USC? or did he want to follow in the footsteps of HotDogMayo and receive payola and money on the side before turning pro? the whole college athletic/NCAA consortium is such a joke ... it's only about the money, the TV networks, and the professional teams -- all athletic scholarships should include a commitment from the recipient to maintain 'C' average [just like academic scholarships] and graduate -- if they leave early, the scholarship money should be repaid [by the NBA, of course] ... alternatively, dissolve the NCAA and all the 'rules' and just let the chips fall where they may
silverblack23 | 05/14/08, 11:33 AM
Report Offensive CommentIt's either that or the NCAA compliance division at USC is comprised of some of the clueless idiots who do not know how to do their job.
The Warden | 05/14/08, 09:24 AM
Hey Warden, there's plenty of grease for everyone in Trojan - land ..... it doesn't take a genius to know that there are a lot of $1,000+ handshakes going on.... but can you honestly tell me this doesn't go on in Michigan.... ala Chris Webber?
Sir Robin (as himself) | 05/14/08, 11:33 AM
Report Offensive CommentIt's not liek $C's hoops program has far to fall bak to the bottom of the barrel
The football program on the other hand.......that situation could get REALLY ugly
BruinsWin! | 05/14/08, 12:02 PM
Report Offensive CommentSir Robin aka Gernade,
Maybe you forgot but the Chris Webber thing was over a decade ago and yes, it happened at UM. I am not glossing over it. UM cooperated FULLY and got hit hard. Because of it, UM's bball program is still in the krapper. The lesson was learned by UM and it keeps a VERY close eye on it's recruits and players to make sure something like this NEVER happens again. The same can not be said for USC as this guy tied to Mayo had already been a problem for USC and yet it let him come back in to help the bball program.
The Warden | 05/14/08, 12:17 PM
Report Offensive CommentIf Mayo could've gone straight to the NBA, would this be an issue?
arejaydub Sept. 13,'08 | 05/14/08, 12:32 PM
Report Offensive CommentRJ: you're right here .... this new rule has solved one issue and may have created a worse issue.... if you have one year wonders, there's no tie to the program, so why wouldn't they take cash on the side.... and leaving after one year just costs teams continuity....
I think I've flipped on this issue since I've seen the result .... if they want to go pro, let them.... the NBA needs to control themselves and be careful what they are throwing at 18 year olds if they are concerned about kids who are not ready... there really aren't that many Dwight Howards, Kobes or Garnetts....
Sir Robin (as himself) | 05/14/08, 12:43 PM
Report Offensive CommentI can't understand anyone complaining about these kids taking money now a days. The NCAA, Schools, and Coaches make millions off these kids and refuse to give them any sort of compensation for all their time they put in. You actually expect these kids to refuse the scrap money being thrown at them?
Know it all | 05/14/08, 12:48 PM
Report Offensive CommentCan't blame a guy if he's trying to help his family.
KCMAC929 | 05/14/08, 08:56 AM
Tell me, how exactly did that plasma TV help his family? Mr. Mayo AGREED to play college ball, and therefore abide by the rules. He CHOSE to break those rules. The NBA is NOT the only pro hoops league in the world, he could have gotten paid - LEGALLY, but HE chose not to. BTW, please stop saying that these kids don't get anything from the schools they attend. A FREE college education for being able to throw a ball into a basket is a pretty good deal. Pretty sure I'm more intelligent than Mr. Mayo, and I'll be paying off my student loans until I freakin' die!
eyesWIDEopen | 05/14/08, 12:49 PM
Report Offensive Commenti never liked his game or his attitude.
c21 | 05/14/08, 01:53 PM
Report Offensive CommentI just cant beleive USC would pay a student athelete. What a huge suprise.
1OSU ROX | 05/14/08, 02:00 PM
Report Offensive CommenteyesWIDEopen -- you're right on target.
silverblack23 | 05/14/08, 02:15 PM
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