Ovinton J’Anthony Mayo, or O. J. Mayo, is a professional basketball player from the United States of America who plays as a shooting guard. Mayo began playing with the Huntington High School before transferring to the North College High School. Mayo was widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the country, moving on to play for the University of Southern California.
After just a single season with the college, Mayo decided to declare for the 2008 NBA Draft and forego the remaining 3 years at college.
Picked at 3rd overall, by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Mayo, along with three others, was traded out on draft night to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Kevin Love and three other players. Mayo made his debut in the NBA Summer League, going on to play and start every game of his rookie season. Scoring at 18.5 points per game with 3.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game, Mayo was a regular starter for the Grizzlies.
Scoring over 30 points in a game seven times, Mayo was in the running for the 2008-09 NBA Rookie of the Year award but ended up in second spot, behind Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls. Mayo was part of the 2009 All-Star Weekend, starting for the rookies in the Rookie Challenge.
