News on recruiting- OJ Mayo

[Da Coach]

Lately there have been a flurry of committments from the Class of 2007, following the july evaluation period. Nothing new to report for Bradley, but we could be hearing something soon.

One verbal announcement tonight has Top 100 recruit from suburban Minneapolis, Trevor Mbakwe committing to Marquette--

http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=1577721

At one time, Bruce Weber was very high on Mbakwe and recruited him aggressively. But they signed Bill Cole and Mike Tisdale, and were no loonger interested in Mbakwe.

[tornado]

Mbawke was one of the top targets for Dan Monson, Jim Molinari, and U-Minn guys.
This is another top prospect who got away to go along with Cole Aldrich.

[hoops guru]

Mbawke was one of the top targets for Dan Monson, Jim Molinari, and U-Minn guys.
This is another top prospect who got away to go along with Cole Aldrich.

The last Minneapolis area kid to go to Marquette was Ryan Amoroso in 2005, a player similar to Mbakwe. I wonder how that worked out?

Amoroso left Marquette in May and transferred to San Diego State.

[Da Coach]

Scout.com is reporting that O.J. Mayo gave a verbal committment to Tim Floyd and University of Southern California Saturday while there on a visit. Mayo has been rated at or near the top of the class of 2007 since he was in 7th grade.

This may be a premium link--

http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=9&c=2&cid=556354&nid=832843&fhn=1

Message board--

http://mb25.scout.com/fuscfansfrm2.showMessage?topicID=4038.topic

Other reports said he did not commit--

http://www.presstelegram.com/sports/ci_4175565

There is some kind of press conference Sunday at 4pm California time. The USC people can't talk about this until he officially signs (not until November), so maybe it's OJ Mayo himself calling a conference?

http://usc.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=667&mid=77075265&sid=&tid=77075265&style=1

http://p212.ezboard.com/fuschoopsmessageboardfrm1.showMessage?topicID=6629.topic

[brainiac]

You sure you're not confusing all this with the newly released
OJ tapes?

[Da Coach]

As usual, this situation with O.J. Mayo and USC is becoming a circus, just like everything else that has surrounded Mayo.
The 4pm news conference that had been called for Sunday was abruptly cancelled.

From the article linked to below--
Mayo and his advisors let it be known Saturday night that he... would announce he would attend USC the following day at a Marina del Rey hotel. However, less than two hours before the press conference, it was canceled.

A high school source close to Mayo said the planned press conference by Mayo was a "misunderstanding." The same source said Mayo went back-and-forth several times Saturday before deciding to announce he would go to USC.

"He's all about making a statement," the source said.

Mayo's told USC athletes since July that he would become a Trojan, but getting him to officially commit is a different matter.

This is the second time Mayo canceled his announcement to commit to USC. He originally told friends he would announce he was attending USC during a summer basketball camp last month in New Jersey, but then changed his mind.

http://www.dailynews.com/usc/ci_4178088

[patrick_o'brian]

As usual, this situation with O.J. Mayo and USC is becoming a circus, just like everything else that has surrounded Mayo.
The 4pm news conference that had been called for Sunday was abruptly cancelled.

From the article linked to below--
Mayo and his advisors let it be known Saturday night that he... would announce he would attend USC the following day at a Marina del Rey hotel. However, less than two hours before the press conference, it was canceled.

A high school source close to Mayo said the planned press conference by Mayo was a "misunderstanding." The same source said Mayo went back-and-forth several times Saturday before deciding to announce he would go to USC.

"He's all about making a statement," the source said.

Mayo's told USC athletes since July that he would become a Trojan, but getting him to officially commit is a different matter.

This is the second time Mayo canceled his announcement to commit to USC. He originally told friends he would announce he was attending USC during a summer basketball camp last month in New Jersey, but then changed his mind.


http://www.dailynews.com/usc/ci_4178088

This kid is a class act, huh?

[tornado]

So now it is apparent that despite the circus like atmosphere that led just about everyone to report that OJ Mayo had committed to USC and will sign there,
Now the news seems slightly different.

The latest report from Mayo's handlers and "press agent-wannabes" is that HE WILL NOT SIGN during this early signing period, and that just maybe he will not go to college at all.
If he goes to a 4-year college, he is leaning towards USC but don't count K-State out.

Other options include a year of juco, a year at a training academy such as IMG, or a year for pay overseas.

Among the other top unsigned 2007 recruits:

The highest ranked other than Mayo, Herb Pope (#23 overall, #6 SF)
has visited six schools (Maryland, Pittsburgh, Memphis, New Mexico State, Oklahoma and Texas) and will decide soon. It is rumored he is not going to get an eligible test score.


#48 (and #7 PG) Rico Pickett from Alabama is looking at Illinois knowing there's a good chance of immediate time at PG.

#95 Darrington Hobson had transferred from California to Decatur, Illinois Prep School, and is trying to get academically sound and considering several schools but will not sign early.
(Oklahoma State, Baylor, Kansas, North Carolina, Southern Cal,
Tennessee, Washington, and maybe now that he's in Illinois, UIUC)

[Da Coach]

Rivals reports that Illinois has contacted O.J. Mayo and is now recruiting him. Mayo is now at Huntington (W.V.) High School.
His coach Loyd McGuffin said "Illinois called about him".

This is a premium article--

http://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=605355

[Braves4Life]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$

I's all about the Benjamins

Who needs a "hired gun" for a year? Any takers? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

My guess is Huggins comes up with the cash.

[MacabreMob]

I think it is funny BW is trying to land him.

Why?

BW is a "4-5yr player - program player" type coach. (I say 4-5 for red-shirts).

He is such a fine coach.

Why go after a guy that gives you such little time. It is SO MUCH about them (those type of players). You CAN'T tell them to stay in after 'curfew' - what do they care, they'll be playing in the NBA next season with a posse of babes and guns... ALL ABOUT THEM!

Then again... go ahead BW. Go try - I like it when UIUC has shortcomings.

1 - Lock the target
2 - Paint the line
3 - Slowly spread the net
4 - Catch the MAN!

[Braves4Life]

Highly touted prep star Mayo headed to Southern Cal

USC must have been the high bidder

http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/9805782