Listen to the O.J. Mayo Interview (MP3) where he talks about basketball, his future and school during his formal introduction to the Los Angeles area media.

Everyone says O.J. Mayo is a one and done player. O.J. Mayo says maybe not.

“I plan on staying more than one year unless my situation changes and I have the opportunity to make a living for my family”

“If coaches call coach Floyd and I have an opportunity to be a lottery pick to take care of my family, then I most certainly am going to have to look at that. Right now, I’m planning on coming back next year.”

Mayo also said he will wear #32, a number he has worn since 5th grade in honor of Magic Johnson.

USC gets another O.J. (SI.com)
More from Mayo (InsideSocal.com)

“He looked good. He looked like he had been doing it all his life.” – Marcus Simmons, Freshman Forward

“He showed flashes where if he had to take over, he could take over.” – Dwight Lewis, Sophomore Guard

“He’s like every other freshman… He’s got to learn what we’re doing right now, and as he gets more confident in the system of play and in what we’re doing, he’ll grow like all the freshmen will.” – Tim Floyd, USC Head Coach

“It was all right. It was fun… My first college practice, I’m real excited.” – O.J. Mayo, Freshman Guard

Source: LA Times

Check out the LA Times article about O.J. Mayo Blending in at USC.

He has played in a pickup game against Kobe Bryant, dined with LeBron James and gone window shopping along Melrose Avenue, yet O.J. Mayo hasn’t exactly gone Hollywood since arriving in Southern California. Far from it.

That much became clear several days ago when the USC freshman guard interrupted an interview to tell a homeless man sifting through a garbage bin outside the Galen Center that his shopping cart was rolling toward Figueroa Street. Mayo addressed the man, like he does all male adults, as “Sir.”

Mayo’s mode of transportation in the land of Bentleys and BMWs is a black beach cruiser, which he can still pedal somewhat anonymously through campus. Outside the Galen Center last week, two Trojans volleyball players spotted arguably the most heralded basketball recruit in school history and didn’t know who he was.

Read the entire Article

Fall classes have official started at USC. O.J. Mayo and the rest of the incoming class are now eligible to practice with the team and prepare for their four games in Mazatlan, Mexico, on September 1st and 2nd. USC Trojan basketball will never be the same again.

According to the LA Times, when the O.J. Mayo led Trojans go to Mazatlan, Mexico, over Labor Day weekend for some exhibition games, the fans may not know who he is or the hype that has surrounded him.

Orellana also organized trips this summer for Auburn, Baylor and Arkansas to play in Cancun. He said Auburn created a buzz in Mexico because fans were familiar with its football team.

Asked whether he expected Mayo to create similar enthusiasm, Orellana said he wasn’t sure the Mexican players and fans knew much about him.

One thing is for sure, they will certainly know who O.J. Mayo is once the trip it over.

People from around the world will get their chance to see O.J. Mayo when the Southern California Trojans and seven other teams play in the new Anaheim Classic over Thanksgiving weekend. Mayo and the Trojans play San Diego on Thanksgiving night on ESPN2.

Source: ESPN

Check out Ben Collins of Slam Online explaining in 559 words why he ranks O.J. Mayo and the Trojans at number seven in their Preseason Top 25. He even encourages you to set yourself on fire:

So we implore you to go ahead and do what’s natural: flip out! Everybody! Come on! Make a life-sized OJ Mayo cut-out, dress it up all pretty-like and tango with it on your front lawn. Drape a USC flag around your shoulders like a shawl and wear only that to work every day. Slather yourself in red and yellow facepaint. When you feel the facepaint isn’t expressive enough, set yourself on fire.

According to Marc Spears, Los Angeles native and Golden State star point guard Baron Davis engaged in some trash-talking with heralded Southern Cal freshman point guard O.J. Mayo at UCLA during a game of pickup basketball game on Monday. Apparently, Baron got upset with Mayo after he didn’t respect one of Davis’ calls and told O.J. that he doesn’t know who he is other than the fact that he wasn’t from Los Angeles and he also needed to respect a veteran’s call. That didn’t stop Mayo from holding his own during the games, even with LeBron James in attendance watching.