USC swingman OJ Mayo is another college Freshman we can put on the "one and done" list.
Mayo is going to be one of the more athletic guards that will declare for the NBA draft this year. At 6'4" he is going to be a 'tweener in the NBA.
Ben Gordon or Chauncey Billups are the types of players that come to mind when I see Mayo. Mayo's strengths as a guard are strength, quickness, athleticism, and a nice jumper. His leadership qualities seem to be questionable, however.
Mayo also needs to work on the intangibles of the game so he doesn't become the next Isaiah Rider. His ability to lead and improve the play of his teammates will grow as he adapts to a more phyisical game as well as develops better playing relationships with his teammates.
Mayo will play the 2-guard spot in the NBA which will make him one of the smallest shooting guards in the league. If he is able to hone his fundamental skills, his athleticism will make up for lack of height.
Mayo will be a lottery pick but it all depends on how the lottery ends up. He is turnover prone right now but he is being asked to do much more now on his USC squad then he will be relied on to do at the next level.
The major thing I think Mayo needs to work on is a team-first attitude. There are times where he will try to go 1-on-5 trying to make a highlight reel play, rather then finding a teammate for an open shot.
He also needs to make sure he doesn't get too passive in his shot selection by relying soley on his jump shot and forgetting to attack the rim.
Mayo has a great basketball IQ and is very confident with his skill as a player. This will definitely help him in the NBA to keep the rookie jitters away. He has the scoring ability and saavyness for his teammates to rely on him in clutch situations.
He also takes to the spotlight and will be willing to take and make big shots in the NBA.
8 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
James Samson about 1 year ago
Russel Westbrook! If he can't score on him how will he fair against much tougher defensive players in the NBA. He is also too small to play SG, and is not a true PG.
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James Samson about 1 year ago
Next Harold "Baby Jordan" Miner!
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Matt DeNicola about 1 year ago
Good reference
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scott serles about 1 year ago
Mayo is not a me-first player, he D's up as well as anyone is the Pac-10. His heart and basketball IQ, will keep him from ever becoming JR Rider or Harold Miner.
Mayo may not become a superstar NBA player, but I think he can be a shutdown defensive stalwart ala Bruce Bowen. He might be another Larry Hughes, I don't know. But to compare him to Rider and Miner is just plain dumb.
Good read though
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Marcus Hagness about 1 year ago
Yeah I was just using a "worst-case scenario" with the Rider comparison. Basically a player destined for stardom that didn't fall through.
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Mayoclinic 32 about 1 year ago
Wow, this person obviously doesn't watch OJ Mayo play. If anything, OJ needs to be more attack oriented at USC instead of harmlessly passing it around the perimeter.
Chalk it off as another article repeating internet hype and hearsay, with little substance.
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Marcus Hagness about 1 year ago
I am so sorry. My bad.
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darrell jones about 1 year ago
I see more of a Gilbert Arenas in Oj. At this stage in his career his jumper and IQ are much higher plus he is 6'5. Billups is 6'3 and Gordon is 6'1. Oj just needs to attack the rim mor and get to the freethrow line. He avg. 20pts a game and gets to the line less the 3 times a game. If he gets there 7 times a game and shoots 75% he will avg. 25pts. Thats a huge difference. And that will open up his jumper and he will be unstoppable. Maybe on Beasley's level.
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