O.J. Mayo, superstar? Already?

Looks like he isn’t a hype, after all.

O.J. Mayo was a freshman in high school when he was anointed as LeBron James’ successor, which on the prep level was like being called the next Michael Jordan.

It soon became obvious O.J. wasn’t the next 'Bron and a lot more controversy-prone, to boot. That led to years of skepticism that followed him to and from USC and into the NBA, dogging his new pro career ... well for almost two weeks, anyway.

After Mayo’s first week, ESPN’s discerning David Thorpe ranked him No. 10 in his class, behind not only Rudy Fernandez (1), Derrick Rose (2) and Michael Beasley (4) but also Marc Gasol (3), Kevin Love (5), Jason Thompson (6), Brook Lopez (7), Mario Chalmers (8) and Darrell Arthur (9).

Mayo was then averaging 14 points and shooting 39%. Since then, he has averaged 28.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists, shooting 50% and making 50% of his three-pointers. His 18 threes tie him with Fernandez at No. 2 -- in the league, not just among rookies.

The NBA has a word for people who reach that level, to say nothing of getting there in their first month: superstar.

Wrote Thorpe after Mayo’s first week:  “My concern ... always has been his inability to create going to the rim, which causes him to earn few short shots and, more importantly, free throws. He has attempted just six free throws in his first four games and all six came in one game.”

Since then, O.J. has shot 4.8 free throws a game so that doesn’t look like it will be a problem, either.

Not to single out Thorpe. I liked Mayo a lot but I never dreamed he’d be this good, nor did anyone else -- particularly the Timberwolves, who took him at No. 3 and traded his draft rights to Memphis for Love.

Before the season I was talking to Warren Legarie, the agent for Memphis Coach Marc Iavaroni, who said his client was so knocked out by Mayo, he not only hoped O.J. could produce but become the Grizzlies’ leader. I thought that was a straight line for a joke, noting in my season preview that Mayo had enough trouble carrying USC and it was in the Pac-10.

In what will become a growing chorus among the skeptics, presuming you can find any of them:

Never mind.

-- Mark Heisler

Photo: Memphis Grizzlies' O.J. Mayo drives against the Golden State Warriors in a game last week. Credit: Ben Margot / Associated Press

Comments

[OJ Mayo]

OH YESSSSS!!!!! Superstar in the making as I have been saying for years. Rookie of the year this year and Superstar in the years to come.

[Steve]

Watching him play at USC,and now his success in the NBA, I think a large part of it has to do with Mayo's slash-and-create style of play which he couldn't do in college ball, the wide spread of ability between himself and many of his SC team mates, and just the mental freedom for him now that he is among his athletic peers.

[Web Hustler]

too early to tell. he's lookin great though.

[Night]

I've been following him for the past year and he's the real deal, definitely a superstar in the making.

[jafarr]

I've been keeping up with oj for 7 yrs now, he has the ability to be the next great guard