Trojans won’t hold their Mayo

UCLA’s Kevin Love and a couple Kansas standouts will also jump to the NBA.

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Since Southern California lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament, freshman guard O.J. Mayo has been working on his ball-handling skills.

He has also been practicing for a moment he has waited for his entire life — the walk from the green room to the podium during the NBA draft to shake hands with commissioner David Stern.

The 6-foot-5 guard who is projected to be a lottery pick in the June 26 draft spoke to reporters Thursday for the first time since announcing he would forgo his college eligibility last week.

“All my life I’ve worked to be an NBA player; that was my ultimate dream so I’m happy I get this opportunity,” Mayo said. “I just feel like this year, why pass it up when you’ve been waiting all your life.”

Mayo led the Trojans in scoring (20.7), steals (51), 3-pointers (88) and assists (109). He was an All-Pac-10 first-team selection and established the USC freshman single-season record with 684 points and 88 3-pointers. His point total was the second-most ever in a season by a Trojan and his 3-pointers the third most in history.

Love is NBA-bound

LOS ANGELES — Less than two weeks after leading the Bruins to the Final Four, All-American freshman Kevin Love announced Thursday that he’ll skip his final three college seasons and enter the NBA draft.

The 6-foot-10 Love said he did not immediately plan to hire an agent, which would temporarily allow to keep playing for UCLA.

Love led the Bruins in scoring (17.5 points) and rebounds (10.6) on the way to a 35-win season and a trip to national semifinals, where UCLA lost to Memphis.

Rush, Arthur headed to NBA

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Brandon Rush is headed to the NBA for sure this time. Darrell Arthur may be going with him. Mario Chalmers? He hasn’t made up his mind.

Two of Kansas’ three biggest stars declared themselves eligible for the draft Thursday, less than two weeks after helping lead the Jayhawks to their first national title in 20 years.

Arthur has yet to hire an agent, leaving open the possibility of returning to Kansas if it appears he isn’t going to be drafted high enough.

Louisville’s Clark to stay

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville forward Earl Clark will return to the Cardinals next season rather than enter the NBA draft.

The sophomore originally said he would bypass his final two years with the Cardinals following Louisville’s loss to North Carolina in the South Region finals of the NCAA tournament. Clark, however, did not sign with an agent or complete the necessary paperwork to declare for the draft, allowing him to return.