Mayo Heading Pro

Just as expected USC freshman guard O.J. Mayo informed school officials on Wednesday that he will declare for the NBA Draft and sign an agent, eliminating an possibility that he would return to school.

“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,” Mayo said in an interview with the Daily News. “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. I am going to finish the semester here at USC and then focus on preparing for the NBA draft. Attending USC has been such a great experience for me and has really helped prepare me for my next step in life.”

Mayo, who by all accounts is a sure-fire lottery pick, averaged 20.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists in his only season at USC. When he chose to attend USC, Mayo said he wanted to do for the basketball program what Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush did for the football program.

“The Juice” did lead USC to a 21-12 record and third place finish in the Pacific-10 Conference, but the Trojans lost to Kansas State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. In the end, the Trojans were unable to even repeat the success of last year’s team that ended up in the Sweet Sixteen.

Cornfed78Draft Pick

180 days ago

Score 1

Well color me and everyone else not surprised.

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CoreyisarealboyMajor Leaguer

180 days ago

Score 0

So now he can be a three-year investment before he actually starts significantly contributing in the NBA.

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KelsdadAll-Star

180 days ago

Score 8

Wonder how he'll adjust to the pay cut.

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CoreyisarealboyMajor Leaguer

180 days ago

Score 1

Comment of the fackin month!

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TrizzAll-American

180 days ago

Score 0

lol i just got it

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CrackajgAll-American

179 days ago

Score 0

+++++++++++++++++++++++

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Taytay 24All-American

180 days ago

Score 0

I was very impressed with Mayo. Not just his play, but the way he carried himself. I'd take him on my team. At the beginning of the tournament, everyone hyped the USC/K-State game as a battle between phenom freshmen. Even though Beasley's team won, I was more impressed by Mayo, and again it was in how he carried himself. I have nothing other than that to base it on, but I say Mayo will be the better pro.

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TrizzAll-American

180 days ago

Score 0

Demar DeRozan was going to take his shine anyway...i agree with Taytay, Mayo gets alot of heat but he is alot more mature and is a better player than people give him credit for...on another note i'm 6/6 on my [declares]

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BigPPupMajor Leaguer

180 days ago

Score 1

Huh... I really thought he was at USC for the education

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SSreportersLegend

180 days ago

Score 0

So Lil Romeo and OJ were not meant to be....... We won't have the most rich and totally b*tchin team in the country.

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BigPPupMajor Leaguer

180 days ago

Score 0

If. Tim Floyd was banking his success on either of them, then USC is in for a world of trouble.

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AlmightyjcVarsity

180 days ago

Score 0

Man I know it was inevitable, but if he stayed until the TEAM had some success he would be a top 5 pick. I will not even be one of the top 5 players coming out of the conference.

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AlmightyjcVarsity

180 days ago

Score 0

9 players received all americans honors from the pac-10 this year.

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Manny StilesAAA-er

180 days ago

Score 1

Hello, O.J.... have you ever heard of DeJuan Wagner?

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Cornfed78Draft Pick

179 days ago

Score 0

Probably not but I have, scored 100 points in a high school game.

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CrackajgAll-American

179 days ago

Score 1

Has there ever been a better name that consisted of two edible/drinkable things? I'm up for possibilities, but O.J. and mayonnaise, while not necessarily great together are very, very strong in their own right.

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