Mayo commits to Southern Cal

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) -- Prep star O.J. Mayo, a two-time Associated Press Mr. Basketball in Ohio, has signed a national letter of intent with Southern California, a Trojans assistant coach said Wednesday.
"We recruited him for a year and we felt that he's an immediate impact player for us and he will take our program to another level," USC assistant coach Bob Cantu said. Cantu said the school received the signed letter of intent by fax Wednesday.
"We felt that we could provide O.J. with the opportunity to learn from a former NBA coach like coach [Tim] Floyd -- he coached for the Chicago Bulls -- in an NBA town like Los Angeles."
The 6-foot-5 guard, ranked by several prep publications as the nation's top senior, transferred to Huntington High in September from Cincinnati's North College Hill High.
Mayo, a Huntington native, was tournament MVP of this summer's national champion AAU 17-and-under team. He averaged more than 30 points, nine rebounds and seven assists per game last season at North College Hill.
"I think USC is the best situation for me," Mayo told USA Today. "It's the perfect opportunity with coach [Tim] Floyd there. He coached in the NBA and knows what it take to reach the league.
"Plus, Los Angeles is great city, unlike a small college town where all eyes would be on my every move. I just want to blend in and enjoy my time at school."