Is he coming or not? And do we really want him?
From Scott Wolf's Column in the Daily News
Mayo told several USC players and recruits last week he would officially commit to the Trojans during this weekend's ABCD basketball camp in Teaneck, N.J.
And it could be a package deal, because Mayo, who lives in Cincinnati, wants to bring high school teammate, Bill Walker, the No. 2 player in the nation by Rivals.com, and center Aaron Pogue of Dayton, Ohio.
Mayo's commitment would shake up college basketball and give USC a national image in a sport usually overshadowed by football.
OK, so by Wolf's piece it looks like it's a done deal. Then there was this nifty little piece on ESPN.com... So what's the story on Walker? If Mayo can't make the move without him then whats the point? (HT: BN). Anyway, it looks like the party may have got started a little early. As I said earlier, I won't be satisfied until his signature is on the paper. Then yesterday there was this story on SI.com. Here's a part of it: (Again HT to BN)
Think about that for a moment. Here's an 18-year-old athletic prodigy, a national celebrity who is constantly scrutinized and blandished with temptations, and he lives by himself in the middle of Ohio? With so little guidance from trustworthy adults, its no wonder Mayo is making increasingly bad decisions. He was suspended three times by his high school this past year alone, the last one coming in April following an altercation with a female student.
This one is easy. I don't care how good this kid is; he has radioactive written all over him. With all that has gone on with the football team of late you would think SC would want to steer clear of this potential nightmare. I mean this a low yield nuclear weapon waiting to go off. I know it's important to build a decent hoops program with UCLA coming back to life but this isn't the way.
It isn't always about talent. We need players who will represent the school in a positive manner I don't care how high he will go in the draft. Getting this kid with all his "potential" baggage is a giant step back.