Former USC Star Mayo Denies ESPN Story Of Cash Benefits

Los Angeles, CA (AHN) -- USC basketball player O.J. Mayo, a projected lottery pick in the upcoming NBA draft, denied a report he received thousands of dollars in cash, clothes and other benefits while in high school and his one year with the Trojans. A recent report on ESPN's "Outside the Lines" followed a claim by Louis Johnson that Mayo accepted $30,000 in cash over the past four years from Los Angeles event promoter Rodney Guillory. He said Mayo also received a flat-screen television, cell phone service, clothes, meals, a hotel room and airline tickets. According to the report, Guillory worked for Northern California sports agency Bill Duffy Associates and was given $200,000 to take care of Mayo while in was in high school in Ohio and West Virginia and at USC. He said Guillory kept most of the money for himself and gave a portion of it to Mayo. Johnson said Mayo had an agreement with BDA to represent him when he turned pro. Johnson provided "Outside the Lines" with receipts and invoices for several of the purchases,including the cell phone service. Mayo told ESPN.com late Sunday night, "I don't know anything about it. It caught me by surprise. I've got to get to L.A. to see what's going on. I'm just focusing on the draft." Mayo said Guillory called him on Sunday and told him about the show on ESPN. Mayo denied ever receiving any money from Guillory. He lists Calvin Andrews of BDA as his agent. Said Mayo, "I would just like to know if I did get the money, where did the money go. I was a struggling college student like everyone else. I bicycled to class. The truth will come out, even though the perception is reality." Providing athletes with money or other benefits is a NCAA violation. BDA and USC both denied any wrongdoings. Johnson, who was once in Mayo's close inner circle of friends, said he had a falling out with the star player after Guillory put a strain on their relationship. Johnson was unemployed a few years after he met both Mayo and Guillory and received probation after being charged with selling cocaine.