On October 17, 2006, Gregg Doyel of CBS Sports wrote a column headlined, "Burned by Bush, USC should be wary of Mayo." After what has been reported about former USC basketball star O.J. Mayo in the last 24 hours, Doyel's column is shockingly prescient -- and USC's failure to listen to warnings about Mayo is shockingly negligent. Doyel wrote:
Mayo, who is expected to sign with USC in the spring if not during the early signing period next month, is being mentored by a Los Angeles-area promoter whom the NCAA labeled as an agent's representative in 2000. That was the year Mayo's new mentor, Rodney Guillory, helped get two college basketball players -- including one from USC -- suspended for several games....And now, a year and a half later, the reports about Guillory's relationship with Mayo suggest that USC is going to feel the wrath of the NCAA. Tim Floyd and company can't say they weren't warned.
Guillory wants to become Mayo's marketing rep. Sound familiar? It was another marketing rep -- Mike Ornstein -- whose relationship with Bush triggered an NCAA investigation into USC....
Before Mayo signs, USC would be wise to look hard -- very hard -- at the Guillory connection.
Previously on FanHouse:
Should We Blame Myles Brand for O.J. Mayo?
Mayo Fallout: ESPN.com's Forde Suggests USC Has a 'Lack of Institutional Control'
Report: O.J. Mayo Took $30,000 in Cash and Gifts in High School and at USC
ADVERTISEMENT
_thumbnail.jpg "NASCAR Cowboy Hats")
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. USC didn't really get burned by Bush, did they? The investigation hasn't turned up evidence that USC knew anything and that's why they haven't suffered any consequences. I think USC has learned that the NCAA isn't serious about investigating them. Perhaps this has given them a sense of security.
Posted at 10:15AM on May 12th 2008 by Jim
2. Why would the NCAA, an entity with zero credibility, investigate a marketable property like USC? Their #1 concern is making money off future stars, so if they have to look the other way with a marquee program, then so be it.
Do the top-tier programs ever get investigated? The NCAA cracks down on the mid-level powers to look tough while schools like USC escape scrutiny.
Posted at 11:15AM on May 12th 2008 by Pollutant Removal