There is a calculation in Oj. Mayo's actions that stands out from the crowd of clumsy high school stars who burn out early or fail to truly capitalize on potential riches. The age limit has certainly complicated the progression of a superstar annointed as basketball prodigy in the 9th grade. Mayo has done a superior job of building a marketable and fascinating image, without the engine of a great location, or super team, and there was no commitment to a big time program, and most importantly, he did it without being a likeable person. First there was the tumultuous high school career (starts at Oak Hill, winds up somewhere in West Virginia). Then there was the ejection from a high school game for (gasp) 'pushing' a referee, and now there is this youtube video of his final dunk. I can't imagine anything more 'Madden' then a slam-dunk contest entry to end a high school career in the State championship. And all the while the folks in South Central (USC) are counting the days till summer practices. So is ESPN, the LA Times, Fox Sports Net, and even UCLA. Mayo should teach a course at the ABCD camp next year.
This is not a kid who could have gone the way of Korleone Young or Lenny Cooke. He's too savvy. He has sent a vertiable fuck you to David Stern by utilizing the system Stern created to garner future millions. Sebastian Telfair parlayed an association with Jay-Z and a Coney Island zip code into a 10 million dollar endorsement deal from Adidas before lacing up a pair of sneaks for an NBA contest. Mayo has done him one better, creating an image on his own. He has embraced all those things that Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon hate about the amateur basketball scene, and we're eating it up. He's good for the game.
I don't want to hear the word role-model. It's an irrelavent matter which I will not address. Mayo is good for the game because he is captavating. And while some will embrace him, others will cheer for the good guys even harder. He is the perfect antagonist for a crowd that grew up learning the game from behind a playstation controller. He is an acrobat on the court and a badass off of it (depending on your definition, he's a badass on the court too). And remember that he's not dominant outside of the destitute West Virgina basketball scene. He is certainly in the same breath as classmates like Kevin Love, Eric Gordon, and Michael Beasly. But you haven't heard of them (And if you have heard of K Love it's cause he is white and could be the next Larry Bird). Do you think that USC will have new unis next year? Do you think they'll finally be covered in Los Angeles the way the Mighty Bruins are? Do you think that the FSN broadcasted UCLA-USC games will draw an East Coast audience?
The point is not that Mayo has created sensation. Someone does almost every year. The point is that he did it without being the best, he did it with persona and lack of class. And that is commendable. Why not? It's an entertainment, really, and Mayo has developed a sense for the bright lights at an early age. I personally think he's the next in line for the Jordan brand. Melo has been so-so. The brawl is a little bit overt in my opinion. Still, I gurantee the wizards at the Jordan marketing will come up with something, maybe boxing related, defending his family or country possibly. Mayo is a little easier to deal with because his expressions are always cognizant of image. SC is the perfect place. The media exposure is there, it's got no real basketball history to be ruined by a punk like Mayo, and they have a history of looking the other way on NCAA infractions. With such a significant economic policy implanted in his high school career, I see no way that Mayo stays clean in a city like Los Angeles.
Regardless of his NBA career, Mayo has guranteed some cash when he declares for the draft 365 days from now, basically because he did what all the rest were afraid to do. So while you may watch that video and think about the lack of discipline, and surplus arrogance Mayo embodies, remember that he's just secured a fortune.
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