DeMar DeRozan Still a Trojan

DeMar DeRozan, the centerpiece of USC's incoming freshman class, said Sunday that he remained committed to the Trojans "as of right now" but would closely monitor a fledgling NCAA investigation into whether former star O.J. Mayo accepted improper benefits.

"As of right now, nothing's happened with the [NCAA investigation], so I'm going to stay committed to the school," DeRozan said during an interview at the Pangos All-American Camp on the practice courts inside the Galen Center.

USC could face sanctions including a forfeiture of victories, scholarship losses or a postseason ban if allegations about impermissible benefits received by Mayo are proved true.

Louis Johnson, a former member of Mayo's inner circle, alleged last month in an ESPN "Outside the Lines" report that Mayo had accepted an estimated $30,000 in cash and benefits from mentor Rodney Guillory before and during Mayo's one year at USC. Johnson also accused Guillory of taking more than $200,000 in cash and benefits from Bill Duffy Associates Sports Management, the agency that briefly represented Mayo before the parties severed ties last month.

Asked about the likelihood that the NCAA investigation would stretch into his freshman year, DeRozan said, "I'll just have to wait and see. I don't want to jump to any conclusions right now. As time progresses I'm going to see how my family feels toward everything."

The 6-foot-6 swingman from Compton High, a McDonald's All-American who averaged 30.6 points his senior season, is projected as the No. 3 pick in the 2009 draft by nbadraft.net. DeRozan has signed a letter of intent with USC and would need to gain a release from the school before being immediately eligible to play elsewhere.

Frank DeRozan, DeMar's father, said he still had not received his son's scores from last month's SAT, the second time DeMar had taken the test.

-- From a report by Ben Bolch --