O.J. Mayo (Official Thread)

[methomps]

Applaudable of Tim Floyd to step up and try and take the heat for his player, but.....lame. "I told him he could go because the tickets were from a friend." Oh, they were from a friend? Well that changes everything. Thank goodness they're not from greasy boosters calling themselves friends, because that would be so wrong. That excuse certainly works when players' families are living rent-free in sprawling mansions or when hired at a job that pays them thousands a month to change the toilet paper at a car dealership or being given Flag Day presents that go from 0 to 60 in 5 seconds flat.

A valiant effort, Mr. Floyd, and very nice of you to attempt to shield your freshman from the fire-breathing dragon that is the NCAA when they find a player accepting so much as a ride home, but next time, hopefully the advice goes something like, "Dude, you know you can't take free shit from people."

Mayo and Melo are legitimately friends since Mayo was in the 7th grade. And Melo certainly isn't an SC booster in any way.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

espn.com

Mayo violates NCAA rule; makes donation to charity

Associated Press
Updated: January 26, 2008, 1:11 AM ET

LOS ANGELES -- Southern California freshman O.J. Mayo violated an NCAA rule by accepting free tickets from Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony to an NBA game, but his punishment won't include missing games.
University officials said Friday they have been informed by the NCAA that Mayo committed a violation and must contribute $460 -- the total value of the two tickets -- to a charitable organization. USC said in a release the NCAA restored Mayo's eligibility after he and his family donated the money, making him available for Saturday's game against Oregon.
"I'm glad this is over with now," Mayo said in a statement. "It was an eye-opening process. I have tried to be very careful when any potential NCAA issues are involved ever since I arrived at USC."

Continued.......

 

[cincibuck]

Having spent two years being swamped with Mayo stories in the local rag I will only say that there were very few tears shed when the kid took off for greener pastures. As the late Loretta Helmsley was fond of pointing out, "rules are for the little people." Mayo goes where he wants, does what he wants and waits for others to cover his mess, in this case it's the USC coach who has to step up. He'll move on at the end of this season and give me yet another reason to continue to ignore NBA basketball.

 

[HailToMichigan]

Mayo and Melo are legitimately friends since Mayo was in the 7th grade. And Melo certainly isn't an SC booster in any way.

Maybe they are. It doesn't matter to me. I don't mean to make this into a finger of accusation pointed at the dirty dirty bastards at USC, because I don't think this "violation" is anything worse than what it seems to be. Which is rare. My point is, the NCAA doesn't usually distinguish between rich sleazebag used car dealers and actual family friends. Suddenly everyone's a close family friend when star athletes are involved.

 

[methomps]

Maybe they are. It doesn't matter to me. I don't mean to make this into a finger of accusation pointed at the dirty dirty bastards at USC, because I don't think this "violation" is anything worse than what it seems to be. Which is rare. My point is, the NCAA doesn't usually distinguish between rich sleazebag used car dealers and actual family friends. Suddenly everyone's a close family friend when star athletes are involved.

The NCAA does recognize the notion of pre-existing relationships. This below is from a compliance brochure dealing with boosters (which Melo isn't), but it does show that the NCAA gives weight to family friends:

UCF Knights - Official Athletics Site

Pre-Existing Relationship With a Current Or Prospective Student-Athlete

Boosters are prohibited from contacting a prospective student-athlete, or providing any type of benefit to a current or prospective student-athlete. The only exception to this rule is if there is a clear preexisting relationship between the booster and the student-athlete. The UCF Athletics Compliance Office will only approve such benefits if the booster providing the benefits or making the contact had established a close relationship with the individual receiving the benefits. That relationship could not have developed as a result of the student-athlete's participation in athletics or the status the student-athlete has achieved due to his/her athletics ability or reputation. The following questions will determine whether a prospect or enrolled student-athlete can receive any type of benefits:

1. Did the relationship between the student-athlete (or the student-athlete's parents) and the individual providing the benefits predate the athletes status achieved due to his or her athletics ability or reputations, and develop on a basis completely unrelated to athletics or notoriety related to athletics?

2. Did the relationship between the athlete and the individual providing the benefits initiate prior to the student-athlete beginning the ninth grade?

3. Is the pattern of benefits provided by the individual to the athlete (or the athlete's family) prior to the athlete's attainment of status as an athlete similar in nature to those provided after attaining such stature? If the answer to any one of the above three questions is "no," then benefits may not be provided. If you answer "yes" to all three questions, please note that any benefit you provide must not be related to the student-athlete's athletics ability, must have been a benefit that you would have provided regardless of the student-athlete's recruitment or attendance at UCF, and must be consistent with those provided prior to the individual becoming a prospective student-athlete of UCF. Please contact the UCF Athletics Compliance Office prior to providing a benefit of any kind to a current or prospective student-athlete.

 

[troy#1]

The NCAA does recognize the notion of pre-existing relationships. This below is from a compliance brochure dealing with boosters (which Melo isn't), but it does show that the NCAA gives weight to family friends:

UCF Knights - Official Athletics Site

Pre-Existing Relationship With a Current Or Prospective Student-Athlete

Boosters are prohibited from contacting a prospective student-athlete, or providing any type of benefit to a current or prospective student-athlete. The only exception to this rule is if there is a clear preexisting relationship between the booster and the student-athlete. The UCF Athletics Compliance Office will only approve such benefits if the booster providing the benefits or making the contact had established a close relationship with the individual receiving the benefits. That relationship could not have developed as a result of the student-athlete's participation in athletics or the status the student-athlete has achieved due to his/her athletics ability or reputation. The following questions will determine whether a prospect or enrolled student-athlete can receive any type of benefits:

1. Did the relationship between the student-athlete (or the student-athlete's parents) and the individual providing the benefits predate the athletes status achieved due to his or her athletics ability or reputations, and develop on a basis completely unrelated to athletics or notoriety related to athletics?

2. Did the relationship between the athlete and the individual providing the benefits initiate prior to the student-athlete beginning the ninth grade?

3. Is the pattern of benefits provided by the individual to the athlete (or the athlete's family) prior to the athlete's attainment of status as an athlete similar in nature to those provided after attaining such stature? If the answer to any one of the above three questions is "no," then benefits may not be provided. If you answer "yes" to all three questions, please note that any benefit you provide must not be related to the student-athlete's athletics ability, must have been a benefit that you would have provided regardless of the student-athlete's recruitment or attendance at UCF, and must be consistent with those provided prior to the individual becoming a prospective student-athlete of UCF. Please contact the UCF Athletics Compliance Office prior to providing a benefit of any kind to a current or prospective student-athlete.

Even though some hate SC so much that they have blinders on, the ncaa ruled it WAS a violation, and declared him ineligible on the spot. To regain his eligibilty, he had to make a charitable contribution in the amount of $460, the value of the tickets. He did, eligibilty was restored, end of story.

 

[cincibuck]

Even though some hate SC so much that they have blinders on, the ncaa ruled it WAS a violation, and declared him ineligible on the spot. To regain his eligibilty, he had to make a charitable contribution in the amount of $460, the value of the tickets. He did, eligibilty was restored, end of story.

Where'd a college kid get $460? Did he give up his meal ticket? Maybe a loan from Reggie's agent? Do you really think that's the end of it? Ask Troy Smith.

Trust me, this kid is a jerk.

 

[osugrad21]

Where'd a college kid get $460? Did he give up his meal ticket? Maybe a loan from Reggie's agent? Do you really think that's the end of it? Ask Troy Smith.

Trust me, this kid is a jerk.

No idea about OJ's specific situation, but kids on full schollie do pretty well per semester/qtr...especially if they are eligible for additional grant money due to their parent's income.

 

[methomps]

Where'd a college kid get $460? Did he give up his meal ticket? Maybe a loan from Reggie's agent? Do you really think that's the end of it? Ask Troy Smith.

Trust me, this kid is a jerk.

From his parents and/or his housing stipend (about $960 a month if he lives off-campus).

 

[cincibuck]

From his parents and/or his housing stipend (about $960 a month if he lives off-campus).

Sounds like robbing Peter to pay Paul...

 

[osugrad21]

Sounds like robbing Peter to pay Paul...

Considering how much the schools charge for on-campus housing and meal plans, it sure is.

Athletes can make some good spending money with meal and housing stipends and then living modestly with other players.

 

[HailToMichigan]

The NCAA does recognize the notion of pre-existing relationships. This below is from a compliance brochure dealing with boosters (which Melo isn't), but it does show that the NCAA gives weight to family friends:

UCF Knights - Official Athletics Site

Pre-Existing Relationship With a Current Or Prospective Student-Athlete

Boosters are prohibited from contacting a prospective student-athlete, or providing any type of benefit to a current or prospective student-athlete. The only exception to this rule is if there is a clear preexisting relationship between the booster and the student-athlete. The UCF Athletics Compliance Office will only approve such benefits if the booster providing the benefits or making the contact had established a close relationship with the individual receiving the benefits. That relationship could not have developed as a result of the student-athlete's participation in athletics or the status the student-athlete has achieved due to his/her athletics ability or reputation. The following questions will determine whether a prospect or enrolled student-athlete can receive any type of benefits:

1. Did the relationship between the student-athlete (or the student-athlete's parents) and the individual providing the benefits predate the athletes status achieved due to his or her athletics ability or reputations, and develop on a basis completely unrelated to athletics or notoriety related to athletics?

2. Did the relationship between the athlete and the individual providing the benefits initiate prior to the student-athlete beginning the ninth grade?

3. Is the pattern of benefits provided by the individual to the athlete (or the athlete's family) prior to the athlete's attainment of status as an athlete similar in nature to those provided after attaining such stature? If the answer to any one of the above three questions is "no," then benefits may not be provided. If you answer "yes" to all three questions, please note that any benefit you provide must not be related to the student-athlete's athletics ability, must have been a benefit that you would have provided regardless of the student-athlete's recruitment or attendance at UCF, and must be consistent with those provided prior to the individual becoming a prospective student-athlete of UCF. Please contact the UCF Athletics Compliance Office prior to providing a benefit of any kind to a current or prospective student-athlete.

Right, well, then if we're going to get into the weeds, I somehow doubt that a kid from Huntington, WV, playing his high school ball in Cincinnati, and a kid from Brooklyn, NY who played his high school ball in Baltimore, both of whom happen to be standout athletes, would have their friendship develop "on a basis completely unrelated to athletics or notoriety related to athletics". Mayo supposedly became friends with Carmelo in the 7th grade, which happens to be when he started commuting to a private school that let him play HS basketball at that age. So #1 is out, as is #3, and the only reason #2 is technically OK is because the NCAA assumes that high school begins at 9th grade, which for basketball purposes, it did not for Mayo.

Again: I'm not accusing USC of anything other than laziness, and it is kinda silly that Carmelo can give a free ticket to anyone he wants but a basketball buddy of his because the kid happens to be playing for a school. But even though Melo's not technically a booster, the letter of the law says Mayo can't have the tickets. Given the way the NCAA applies these laws, Floyd's advice ought to default to "no, you can't have them" in nearly any case at all rather than figuring "hey, it's a friend, it's cool."

 

[methomps]

Right, well, then if we're going to get into the weeds, I somehow doubt that a kid from Huntington, WV, playing his high school ball in Cincinnati, and a kid from Brooklyn, NY who played his high school ball in Baltimore, both of whom happen to be standout athletes, would have their friendship develop "on a basis completely unrelated to athletics or notoriety related to athletics". Mayo supposedly became friends with Carmelo in the 7th grade, which happens to be when he started commuting to a private school that let him play HS basketball at that age. So #1 is out, as is #3, and the only reason #2 is technically OK is because the NCAA assumes that high school begins at 9th grade, which for basketball purposes, it did not for Mayo.

Again: I'm not accusing USC of anything other than laziness, and it is kinda silly that Carmelo can give a free ticket to anyone he wants but a basketball buddy of his because the kid happens to be playing for a school. But even though Melo's not technically a booster, the letter of the law says Mayo can't have the tickets. Given the way the NCAA applies these laws, Floyd's advice ought to default to "no, you can't have them" in nearly any case at all rather than figuring "hey, it's a friend, it's cool."

Ok, I wasn't saying that it wasn't a violation. I was responding to your comments about friendship being irrelevant or some kind of cover:

Applaudable of Tim Floyd to step up and try and take the heat for his player, but.....lame. "I told him he could go because the tickets were from a friend." Oh, they were from a friend? Well that changes everything. Thank goodness they're not from greasy boosters calling themselves friends, because that would be so wrong. That excuse certainly works when players' families are living rent-free in sprawling mansions or when hired at a job that pays them thousands a month to change the toilet paper at a car dealership or being given Flag Day presents that go from 0 to 60 in 5 seconds flat.

A valiant effort, Mr. Floyd, and very nice of you to attempt to shield your freshman from the fire-breathing dragon that is the NCAA when they find a player accepting so much as a ride home, but next time, hopefully the advice goes something like, "Dude, you know you can't take free shit from people."

 

[troy#1]

From his parents and/or his housing stipend (about $960 a month if he lives off-campus).

The article I read said he got the money from his parents.

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

Rumor has it Methomps gave him the money and a marketing contract