Mayo says he's coming back [let's add a big fat "maybe"]

After beating Stanford, O.J. Mayo reportedly told the media in the locker room that he's coming back  next year and that he's signing up for summer school classes.

UPDATE: I was in the conference room prepping the audio from Floyd's postgame comments when Mayo told a group of reporters that he was coming back. One person told me Mayo was smiling like he was just pulling everybody's leg.

I went back to the locker room and was the last person to talk to Mayo. I asked him to confirm that he was coming back and planned to enroll in classes. He looked me in the eye and said "yes."

He also said that he isn't enrolled in summer classes yet, but will do so.

If you listen to the end of Floyd's postgame press conference, he makes a big deal about what a good kid O.J. Mayo is. We all know that he was unconventional in choosing USC, and he's done nothing but surprise everybody in pretty much everything he does -- in a good way.

As surprising as this move is, maybe it shouldn't be.

OK, OK, it's shocking. And great news.

UPDATE #2: There seems to be a lot of confusion about the context and meaning of Mayo's statements. After seeing more of his initial comments when I wasn't there, it seems pretty much in line with what all underclassmen in college football and basketball when they're in his position: "So far, I'll be returning." That and four bucks will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks.

When I approached him one-on-one, I'm wondering if he might have misunderstood the question. Paraphrasing: "Word in the hallway is that you're coming back next year and enrolling in summer school classes. Is that true?" His response was unequivocally affirmative.

I'm seeking some more clarification on the issue because -- as I said -- it would be shocking. Most of the press corps wasn't that wowed by his initial statements -- nor should they have been. I think it's entirely possible that O.J. misunderstood my question and intended to still play coy (as people in his position are expected to do -- nothing unusual about that). This may be a mountain out of a molehill. More to come, I'm sure.

Ironically, the person who told me about the initial gaggle was an employee (though not a spokesperson) of USC athletics. Another employee (who is a spokesperson) said Mayo was probably just trying to say nothing.

For those wondering if I think that he's coming back, I still find it very unlikely. I also do not think he would drop the big news of a return in this manner -- so don't get too excited yet.

Even if he were trying to play up the possibility of a return, there's nothing illegal about changing his mind. USC fans can't be upset with him after what he's done for the program this year and his efforts to keep this sort of distraction to a minimum.

Comments

[TommyTee]

Unreal! Did he say this definitively????

[DFWTrojan]

OJ!!!!! You are a man of strong character and integrity. We are proud to have you. DeRozan will be here next year, and I bet Taj is back too. DeRo + Mayo = Final Quattro in 2009.

[haaaa]

Nope u guys must be joking.. possibly a 1st rounder.. even if he went second round... what a great athlete...

stop getting ur hopes up he's outta here

[gerrrg]

Depends on how the Trojans do in March Madness. What if - and this is a big what if - they go to the Final Four? I say OJ has every right to leave if they make it that far.

If however, they can't get into the Sweet 16 like they did last year? Well that kinda leaves a bad taste in your mouth and something to prove. I would think OJ would want to stay, as would Taj. If they stayed together one more year, next year would make for an extremely interesting year. Maybe do what Florida did last year and win the titles in both football and basketball?

Just let us dream for awhile, wont you?