Yeah, the NCAA is interested in protecting the amateurism of it’s athletes. So it allows football players to play pro baseball and Tom Zibekowski to box (where he managed so score ringside seats for his fellow ND teammates), allows bowl sponsors to practically emtpy Best Buy with gifts to the players, allows championship and bowl rings that later end up for sale on ebay. Do you have any idea what restaurants and events recruits are taken on their official visits? Even in today’s LA Times there is mention of Malik Hairston being flown in Phil Knight’s private jet for his recruiting visit to Oregon All NCAA APPROVED.

And OJ shouldn’t be exposed to the enticing lifestyle offered by the NBA. How about that NCAA approved photo shoot for SLAM magazine, including a cover photo behind the wheel of a Bentley. Reminder, Larry, NCAA APPROVED. And the LA Times story of OJ walking along West Melrose Avenue window shopping and making the remark about having to have to get some money. Maybe the NCAA can make it a violation to window shop on Melrose so college athletes don’t get the idea of an enticing pro sports lifestyle. Hope no SC alums boought him a chile dog at Pinks, that’s a violation of the extra benefits rule.

Judging his game vs NBA players? Hasn’t he been playing in pick up games since junior high? Wasn’t it OJ who trash talked Michael Jordan during a pickup game at Michael’s basketball camp? And the NBA scouts in the front row under the basket at every game at Galen (obviously NCAA approved, but is it an infraction if Mayo acknowledges he notices them?)

Glitz, glamour and celebrities? Ever see the sideline at a USC football game? And after the last year’s basketball win over Stanford, longtime friend of the Hackett family, Denzel Washington, paid a visit to the Trojan locker room. ABC even interviewed a sideline celebrity during the Washington State football game, wait, that was OJ Mayo being interviewed (again, obviously NCAA approved).

Will all this cause Mayo to be a one and done? Well, the most Hollywood glitzed NCAA athlete ever had to be Matt Leinert during the 2004 Heisman winning season, and, well, he came back for his senior year.

By the way, once charges are dropped for a misdemeanor, does’t the ‘alledged’ get dropped, also?