OJ Mayo, Improper Benefits, Street Agents and the Repercussions at USC

OJ Mayo's stay at USC was brief... one season, capped by a first-round loss in the NCAA Tournament. But his presence will be felt within the USC program for a long time to come. And not in a good way.

To call Mayo's college career "controversial" would be a gross understatement. He broke a teammate's jaw during a preseason pickup game. He attracted the attention of the NCAA police for accepting courtside seats to a Laker game from Carmelo Anthony. And that was just the appetizer.

The main course was an early May report by ESPN's Outside the Lines, alleging that Mayo received thousands of dollars in cash and gifts from a variety of street agents, runners and other unsavory characters.

The NCAA, NBA and NBA Player's Association all launched investigations, which are ongoing and may have far-reaching implications for USC, several player agents and the basketball world in general.

The controversy had no impact on Mayo's NBA Draft stock. He was selected third overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves, then traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, where he's expected to start at shooting guard as a rookie.

Latest Developments

First Casualty of the Mayo Investigation
September 2, 2008
The morass of agencies investigating Mayo and his associates have produced their first fall guy, as Calvin Andrews, Mayo's ex-agent and a vice president at Bill Duffy Associates, received a one-year suspension from the NBA Players Association.

Mayo Episode Already Costing USC?
June 16, 2008
The first report of a big-name prospect -- Brooklyn, NY guard Lance Stephenson -- crossing USC off a list of potential college destinations out of concern that Mayo's actions would lead to sanctions from the NCAA.

California Attorney General to Investigate Mayo, Guillory
June 3, 2008
The California Attorney General's office announces its own investigation into the relationship between Mayo and Guillory -- focusing on the possibility that a credit card used to buy gifts for Mayo was registered to a charity.

Shocked... SHOCKED!
May 22, 2008
USC denies any knowledge of improper benefits, the NBA Players Association launches an investigation, and NBA general managers tell reporters that the controversy won't affect Mayo's draft status one iota.

When is a Denial Not a Denial?
May 19, 2008
Mayo issues a blanket statement denying he received any improper benefits... then hops into a brand-new $70,000 Porsche. Subtle.

Mayo's Payday Came Early
May 13, 2008
ESPN's Outside the Lines breaks the story of Mayo's association with Rodney Guillory -- a "runner" that allegedly working on behalf of NBA player agent Bill Duffy Associates.