Mayo Visits With Tropics, Alvarez
May 25, 2007
By: Walter Villa
Future NBA millionaire O.J. Mayo is loyal to the Miami Tropics.
The superstar guard, who played in the Kingwood Classic last year with the Tropics, leading them to a breath-taking run to the semifinals, proved that on Thursday when he visited his former coach.
"His high school team was on a class trip to Miami, and the kid has so much respect for me that he called me up and paid me a visit," Tropics President and CEO Art "Pilin" Alvarez said. "O.J. is a great kid - very respectful. We have a great relationship "
Mayo, a 6-5 point guard, would likely have been the third pick in the 2007 NBA Draft - behind Ohio State center Greg Oden and Texas forward Kevin Durant - if the rules about eligibility had not changed last year.
Now, players must wait at least one year past their high school graduation date before they can apply for the NBA Draft.
But Mayo said he is not concerned. He will play one year at Southern Cal and evaluate his options after that. Should he decide to turn pro in 2008, he could be the No. 1 pick in the draft.
His main competition for the No. 1 pick in 2008 - should they decide to turn pro after their freshmen years - are Kansas State 6-9 power forward Michael Beasley and Memphis 6-4 point guard Derrick Rose.
"If everybody came out next year, I can't see O.J. going any lower than the top two spots," said Tropics Director of Personnel Ed Auricchio.
Why is Mayo so highly touted? Because he has great handle, can beat you with a pass or a shot, has prototypical size for the position and exudes confidence and maturity on the court. Plus, he has played the best competition in the nation and never failed to deliver clutch performances.
But even with his bank account about to blow up in the next year, Mayo took the time to visit Alvarez and several of the players from the Tropics family who were working out Thursday at the Overtown Youth Center.
Check out my blog below for details on the workout and how players such as Guillermo Diaz, Denis Clemente and Freddy Asprilla looked.
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