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Mayo Deserved Chance to Cash In

By KEVIN BLACKISTONE,

AOL

Posted: 2008-05-14 09:51:46

Filed Under: College Basketball

Sports Commentary

While he was becoming a household name as a high school prodigy in the offices of NBA scouts and college coaches, O.J. Mayo suggested that he hoped to follow in the sneaker prints of another recent Ohio scholastic basketball phenomenon: LeBron James. Mayo confided that he too wanted to use the get-out-of-college card his outrageous talent afforded him and leap from his prom straight to the Millionaires’ Ball that is the NBA Draft without having to pass Basketball 101 at State U.

Jamie Squire, Getty Images

O.J. Mayo faces allegations that he took $30,000 from a promoter while still at USC.

More Coverage: NCAA Has New Information | HS Career Investigated

But the NBA implemented a rule against anymore LeBrons and Kobes and KGs bypassing its minor league known as NCAA basketball. Mayo was stuck between a rock and hardheadedness. He’d have to go to college for at least a year before turning his lethal dribble drive and jump shot into the instant millions of dollars a top NBA Draft pick like him would command. So, he accepted a scholarship to USC where as a freshman last season he led it to the NCAA Tournament.

Last month, Mayo bid farewell to playing for free in college (I’m obligated at this point to satisfy the sticklers by pointing out that Mayo was provided an all-expenses paid USC education in exchange) for the pros, where he’ll probably win a contract that will pay him somewhere between $2 million and $3 million per year, if not more. (That will be only a million or so more than his college coach, Tim Floyd, was paid to teach him in higher education’s ranks for, we’re told, amateurs.)

This week, however, ESPN.com quoted a former Mayo confidant named Louis Johnson saying that Mayo received in the neighborhood of $30,000 in money and gifts from a Los Angeles event promoter named Rodney Guillory while Mayo was at USC and in high school. That’s against higher education’s rules for its amateur athletes who get remunerated with all-expenses paid college teaching to bring in millions of revenues for their coaches and school coffers. The NCAA reacted as expected. It will investigate.

My reaction: If true, at least Mayo salvaged something from his year of being locked out of the living he should have had every right to earn no matter his age or years of schooling. It’s barely a pittance, though. Hopefully, he got more, especially if Guillory, as Johnson alleged, had a $200,000 fund from which to line Mayo’s pockets.

Mens College Basketball

Kansas basketball coach Bill Self poses with students in Boys Town, Neb., Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Self, who visited Boys Town before appearing at an Omaha sports banquet in the evening, said he'll have no idea what the roster for the defending NCAA champions will look like until after June's NBA draft. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Kansas basketball coach Bill Self, center, jokes during a visit to Boys Town, Neb., Wednesday, May 7, 2008, as he stands near Boys Town Executive Director Steve Boes, left. said he'll have no idea what the roster for the defending NCAA champions will look like until after June's NBA draft. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Kansas basketball coach Bill Self, left, takes questions from students during a visit to Boys Town, Neb., Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Self, who was in Omaha for a sports banquet, said he'll have no idea what the roster for the defending NCAA championship team will look like until after June's NBA draft. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

** FILE ** In this Jan. 9, 2008 file photo, LSU's Garrett Temple (14) knocks the ball away from Mississippi State's Ben Hansbrough, right, and Temple eventually ends up with the ball during the first half of a college basketball game in Baton Rouge, La. Hansbrough, who helped Mississippi State advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament last month, is transferring to Notre Dame. (AP Photo/Bill Feig, File)

Memphis head coach John Calipari smiles as he answers a question at a news conference at the college basketball Final Four in this April 6, 2008 file photo, in San Antonio. Calipari has signed a contract extension through the 2012-13 season that includes an annual raise of $500,000. Calipari will make $2.35 million per year and will receive a $5 million bonus if he stays through the end of the deal, athletic director R.C. Johnson announced Saturday, April 26, 2008. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

** FILE ** This March 27, 2008 file photo shows Texas guard D.J. Augustin (14) smiling during a news conference at the NCAA South Regional basketball tournament in Houston. All-American point guard D.J. Augustin says he is leaving Texas after two seasons to turn pro. He said Wednesday April 23, 2008 that he has long dreamed of playing in the NBA and that he is "ready to start living this dream." (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

** FILE ** In this March 22, 2008 file photo, Mississippi State guard Jamont Gordon responds to a question during a news conference at the NCAA men's basketball tournament South Regional in North Little Rock, Ark. Gordon has decided to turn pro but won't hire an agent before the NBA draft. Gordon told The Associated Press he planned to file the paperwork. In a phone interview Tuesday afternoon April 22, 2008, Gordon said he intends to go through with the draft if he remains injury free. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

** FILE ** In this March 23, 2008 file photo, Mississippi State guard Jamont Gordon (44) takes a shot as Memphis guard Antonio Anderson (5) defends in the first half of an NCAA men's basketball second-round South Regional game in North Little Rock, Ark. Gordon has decided to turn pro but won't hire an agent before the NBA draft. Gordon told The Associated Press he planned to file the paperwork. In a phone interview Tuesday afternoon April 22, 2008, Gordon said he intends to go through with the draft if he remains injury free. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

** FILE ** This March 19, 2006 file photo shows Bucknell basketball coach Pat Flannery pleading with an official during the first half of their NCAA tournament second-round basketball game against Memphis in Dallas. Flannery is retiring after 14 years on the bench at his alma mater. A person at the university told The Associated Press of Flannery's retirement Friday morning, April 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam, File)

** FILE ** Memphis coach John Calipari talks with Memphis freshman guard Derrick Rose (23) in the first half of the NCAA South Regional basketball final in Houston in this March 30, 2008 file photo, in Houston. Rose announced on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 he was jumping to the NBA, the same day Calipari agreed in principle to a contract extension with the school. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

There isn’t a rule that says a brilliant inventor and entrepreneur must do x-number of years in college, or graduate from one, in order to cash in on his or her contribution. To be sure, Bill Gates took a leave of absence from Harvard to start Microsoft and Michael Dell dropped out of Texas to start the computer company that carries his name.

Why then should there be a rule against an 18-year-old basketball player being able to earn a multimillion-dollar NBA contract?

What Mayo is accused of isn’t what the NBA’s rule has wrought. Prodigious teenaged athletes in the revenue-generating sports in college of football and basketball have been the recipients of under-the-table money and gifts for generations.

Instead, what Mayo is accused of is yet another symptom of how ridiculous the NBA’s age rule is and stands as more reason it ought to done away with posthaste. It is, categorically, unfair to an entire class of people. Unfortunately, collusion – I’m sorry, agreement – between the league and the players union will keep the rule afloat before a court of law until a brilliant legalist comes up with the best argument against it.

The other reason the rule must be done away with is more important but hardly as sexy as illegal inducements. The rule makes a mockery of the idyllic college athletic phrase “student-athlete.” Mayo and all other freshmen basketball players only had to pass classes in their inaugural college semester to be eligible to play basketball all season. That puts the emphasis on games and not what young men and women ostensibly are on campus for: class.

Did You See That?

SAN DIEGO - July 17: Cheyenne Woods, niece of Tiger Woods, tees off the 10th hole during the 2nd Round of the Junior World Golf Championships on July 17, 2002 at the Lawrence Welk Resort in San Diego, California. (Photo by Dolanld Miralle/Getty Images)

Dolanld Miralle, Getty Images

Fans watch as a ball that popped loose out of New York Yankees' Johnny Damon's glove rests momentarily on the fence before dropping to the ground during the third inning against the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball action Friday, July 4, 2008 at Yankee Stadium in New York. Damon made a leaping attempt on a hit by Red Sox's Kevin Youkilis. Two runs scored on the play. Damon left the game after the play. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Julie Jacobson, AP

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 05: Jockey Craig Durden rolls after falling from Toulouse Lautrec the first time around in the Cleanevent Grand National Steeplechase during the Cleanevent Grand National Steeple Day meeting at Flemington Racecourse on July 5, 2008 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

Mark Dadswell, Getty Images

Chaunte Howard clears the bar during the women's high jump final at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Ore., Friday, July 4, 2008. Howard finished in first place to earn a place on the U.S. Olympic team. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Charlie Riedel, AP

Seattle Mariners center fielder Jeremy Reed dives to catch a fly ball from Detroit Tigers' Gary Sheffield in the second inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 3, 2008, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Elaine Thompson, AP

In this photo provided by Six Flags St. Louis, Robbie Knievel jumps 25 Dodge cars at Six Flags St. Louis, traveling at approximately 85 mph off of a 25-foot ramp and flying some 25-feet into the air on Thursday, July 3, 2008, in St. Louis, Mo. Robbie dedicated the jump to his Dad, Evel Knievel. (AP Photo/Six Flags St. Louis, James Visser)

James Visser, Six Flags St. Louis / AP

San Diego Padres' Michael Barrett, center, is helped by an unidentified trainer, left, and manager Bud Black after Barrett was hit in the bridge of the nose by a foul tip in the third inning of a Major League Baseball game against the Colorado Rockies in Denver on Wednesday, July 2, 2008. (David Zalubowski, AP)

David Zalubowski, AP

Serena Williams of the US., reacts after winning her Women's Singles semifinal match against China's Zheng Jie on the Centre Court at Wimbledon, Thursday, July 3 , 2008. (Kirsty Wigglesworth, AP)

Kirsty Wigglesworth, AP

BHP Billiton China President Clinton Dines holds a Beijing Olympic Games gold medal before an official handing over ceremony in Beijing July 3, 2008. The Beijing organisers took possession of the 3,000 medals for next month's Olympics in a ceremony near Tiananmen Square on Thursday, 36 days before the start of the Games. (David Gray, Reuters)

David Gray, Reuters

OMAHA, NE - JULY 02: Brendan Hansen competes in the preliminary heats of the 200 meter breaststroke during the U.S. Swimming Olympic Trials on July 2, 2008 at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Nebraska. (Donald Miralle, Getty Images)

Donald Miralle, Getty Images

Mayo was on campus to keep his basketball skills sharp. Sometimes this season, he looked bored playing against mostly lesser talent while guys he was as good as, if not better than, were hooping for dollars.

This is not to excuse Mayo if he broke the college rule against accepting extra benefits as an athlete that are not available to the rest of his classmates. Instead, this is to understand how someone in Mayo’s Nikes or adidas might come to flaunt those rules. It’s about dollars and sense.

Kevin B. Blackistone is a regular panelist on ESPN's Around the Horn, an XM Satellite Radio host and a frequent sports opinionist on other outlets like National Public Radio and The Politico. A former award-winning sports columnist for The Dallas Morning News, he currently lives in Hyattsville, Md.

2008-04-29 10:41:57

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mantaent 04:19:35 PM May 26 2008

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Great article, NCAA just wants to make money off these kids, NBA just doesn't have the guts to force NBA execs to continue to make a tough choice on which 18 year old player will develop. If I can go to war and vote but can't play in the NBA that isn't fair. If there was a talented computer geek, tennis player, actor, skater or singer no one is going to make them wait so why should these players have to wait. Everyone else in the NCAA is cashing in, so he should too.

artbcpa 09:27:31 AM May 22 2008

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There are legitimate reasons to question the "one and done" rule. But for those who believe high school players should go to college first, OJ Mayo is a perfect example. His one year at USC proved he was not ready for the pros; nor did his inconsistent performance for the Trojans show that he is ready now. OJ is one high school star who would definitely benefit from staying in school for another two or three years. He may one day develop into a NBA star; but right now he will wither on the bench and perhaps ruin a great career.

patriotssbchmp02 03:05:11 AM May 19 2008

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If OJ Mayo was so great of a player, and was bored playing against lesser talented players, then why didn't he lead USC to the national championship? Carmelo did it. Maybe OJ isn't as good as he and others think he is.

The NBA doesn't make you go to college. It just says that you have to wait 1 year after graduating high school. I think that's a good rule in some ways. The NBA was getting too many players straight from high school, and almost all of them weren't that good the first year. It wasn't fair to fans and teams that invested in a player who was going to be good in 5 years, instead of the 1st year. If you don't want to go to college, play in the NBDL or Europe or somewhere for 1 year and then enter the draft.

mdhcowboys11 11:03:43 PM May 18 2008

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You spent 95% of your time trying to make excuses for Mayo and the last 5% trying to convince us that you weren't. Didn't fly.

cmoss50202 12:59:02 PM May 18 2008

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Another "open mouth insert foot" sports commentator, where does the sports world find these guys. He does prove that the pen is mighty, not right, but mighty. Kevin, your Bio shows you live in Hyattsville, Md., is that pronounced Hatesville.

sco228 03:14:31 PM May 17 2008

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Kevin how could you keep Oscar Pistorius from competing in the olympics.If this
was a racial isssue you would be all over it.How could a person that runs with
blades have a advantage over a person with real legs.It is prejudices like yours
that will continue to keep the disabled from competing in athletics to employment.
it would be different if this issue was racial,That is what is Unfair.

cardsfn1 01:41:29 AM May 16 2008

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Kevin, you're take on comparing Gates and Dell starting their own business to O.J. Mayo trying to work for a private company might be the dumbest thing ever said about the NBA age limit. KUDOS.

cardsfn1 01:35:59 AM May 16 2008

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ONE-Mayo could have gone to Europe and made money there for a year. So this was NOT about money. If he had to "Feed his family" then his would have been off to Greece.
TWO-Comparing Bill Gates, who dropped out of college to start his own business to a guy who bounces a rubber ball might be the dumbest thing you've ever said. Kevin, there is no age limit to starting your own business. This is America. However this is America and businesses are well within their rights to enact their own qualifications before employment.

mchfoun 01:14:49 PM May 15 2008

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Regardless if you gree or not, it is a good article. And, truth be known it is the hob nail boot wearing fascists @ the NCAA, that put the NBA, up to this shi--it. Think about it; who benefits most from keeping "the thumb" on these talented kids?

coachk1472 12:57:28 PM May 15 2008

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Your article fails to mention how much money he recieved in high school and from A.A.U.basketball,along with all of the free clothes,sneakers, and the fact that he signed with U.S.C. when none of the coaches had even talked to him until he faxed is letter of intent to thier office.

As for the NBA making him go to college for a year,they should make it 2 years. NBA basketball is the worst sport and it's mostly because of these young 'prodigies' who have not yet physically,mentally,or socially matured.Labron,Kobe,and K.G. are the exception in today's game. So that's 3 out of how many??Can you say Eddie Curry? How about Kwamee Brown?

Now, if it is true that Mayo took money,what can they do to him?? Nothing!!! But U.S.C. and all of the players on that team who didn't take a dime,won't be elliigible to play in any pre-season or post season tournaments as well as lose scholarships to young athletes who truly deserve them and play by the rules.

Rules??? No Kevin,he's O.J.Mayon, he doesn't

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