DeRozan might ask out if Trojans are punished in Mayo case
USC BASKETBALL
All-American guard is said to be watching NCAA inquiry of USC. Father: 'He wants to go there and help build the basketball program, but we can't do that with a cloud hanging over the school's head.'
DeMar DeRozan, USC's star basketball recruit, may consider another college if the Trojans face severe sanctions by the NCAA over illegal extra benefits allegedly received by O.J. Mayo.
DeRozan's father and older half-brother said today that the Compton High star, one of the nation's top-rated high school players, would consider requesting a release from the scholarship he accepted from USC in November.
"This is a good wake-up call," Jermaine DeRozan, DeMar's half-brother, said. "I'm just hoping SC doesn't get put on probation [If it does], I would get . . . out of there."
Recruits who sign letters of intent are required to gain a release from that school to be eligible immediately without sitting out a season.
The NCAA and Pacific 10 Conference are investigating Mayo because of allegations that he received tens of thousands of dollars in cash and gifts from Rodney Guillory, a Los Angeles events promoter said to be acting as a representative of a sports agency.
Guillory reportedly received about $200,000 in cash plus a $50,000 sports utility vehicle from Bill Duffy Associates, funneling about $30,000 to Mayo, who recently announced that BDA vice president Calvin Andrews would be his agent as a pro.
If the allegations are proved true, Mayo could be declared retroactively ineligible. And if the NCAA is convinced USC took part or knew about any violations, the athletic program could be punished by losing scholarships or being banned from postseason play.
"If they can't make the tournament next year, that's what we're going to college for," Jermaine DeRozan said. "If you do your one year, you at least have to shine and get to the tournament with the intentions of winning it or get to the Elite Eight."
Mayo and Bill Duffy Associates have denied any wrongdoing. USC says it is cooperating with the NCAA and that circumstances surrounding the player from Huntington, W.Va., were thoroughly examined before Mayo enrolled.
DeRozan's father, Frank, said DeMar woke him up Sunday morning after the accusations, made by former Mayo confidant and Guillory associate Louis Johnson, became public when broadcast on the ESPN show, "Outside the Lines."
"He brought it to my attention and said, 'Man, that's messed up,' " Frank DeRozan said.
Compton High Coach Tony Thomas said he recently had been contacted by assistant coaches from two Final Four participants -- UCLA, North Carolina, Kansas and Memphis -- inquiring about DeRozan's availability.
