Despite playing well and scoring 18 points during the televised Team USA game last week, Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo did not make the final roster of players headed to Turkey for the World Championships, which go from August 28th to September 12th. Also cut were Sacramento guard Tyreke Evans, Charlotte forward Gerald Wallace, and Washington center JaVale McGee.

Make sure you set those DVR’s to watch O.J. Mayo at point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies summer league team in Las Vegas from July 12-18. The games will be on NBATV

The Grizzlies play on July 12 against the Atlanta Hawks and followed by games vs. the Milwaukee Bucks on July 13, the NBA D-League Select on July 15, the Minnesota Timberwolves on July 16 and the San Antonio Spurs on July 18.

Besides Mayo, the roster includes Xavier Henry, Greivis Vasquez, Hasheem Thabeet, Darrell Arthur, DeMarre Carroll and Sam Young.

Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley isn’t happy about reports that the Grizzlies offered starting shooting guard O.J. Mayo in a package deal for New Orleans Hornets all-star point guard Chris Paul. Heisley was quoted saying:

“Unequivocally, O.J. Mayo was not part of any discussions about a trade for Chris Paul. That is not true. Where do these people get this stuff?”

Heisley did admit that he inquired about Paul’s availability but that Mayo was not part of the package discussed.

The Memphis Grizzlies are looking to develop O.J. Mayo as a point guard in order to improve their versatility next season. Mayo would also help on the defensive end against the bigger, stronger point guards in the league like Deron Williams, Derick Rose, and Chauncey Billups. The biggest aspects of Mayo’s game that would have to be improved is passing and decision making. If Mayo does not make the US national team this summer, there is a good chance he will be on the Grizzles summer league roster playing the point guard role.

Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo was selected to participate in the 2010 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge in Dallas on Feb. 12 during NBA All-Star Weekend. Mayo will join rookie of the year Derrick Rose and teammate Marc Gasol to play for the Sophomore team taking on a rookie team led by Tyreke Evans and Brandon Jennings.

Nice article from the Memphis Commercial Appeal on how O.J. Mayo has changed his game to be more of a team player and help his team win.

As a rookie, Mayo operated mostly as a gunner without much team success. As a sophomore, the 6-4 guard has crossed over into a glue guy who gladly holds back his individual talent to satisfy the Grizzlies’ mantra: One Team.

O.J. Mayo and Feed the Children, donated 500 turkeys and 500 hams to 1,000 families in his hometown of Huntington so they could have a better Thanksgiving. Mayo used to play for Huntington High school before going to USC and then to the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Congrats to O.J. Mayo for being a unanimous selection to the All-Rookie team. Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose was the only other unanimous selection. Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, New Jersey center Brook Lopez and Miami forward Michael Beasley round out the 1st team All Rookie.

O.J. Mayo was runner-up in the NBA rookie of the year award with five first-place votes and 127 points. Derrick Rose was the clear cut winner with 574 total points. Mayo would have had a better shot if the Grizzlies won more games.

What do O.J. Mayo fans think Mayo needs to work on during the off-season to come back stronger and better for his 2nd year in the NBA?