Agency representing Mayo denies illegal activity

The Associated Press

Damian Dovarganes / AP Photo

In this April 17, 2008 file photo, University of Southern California freshman basketball player O.J. Mayo, who announced on April 9 that he was declaring for the 2008 NBA Draft, smiles during a news conference at the USC Galen Center in Los Angeles. A former friend of Mayo has alleged that Mayo violated NCAA rules by accepting tens of thousands of dollars in cash and benefits from an L.A. events promoter.

Mayo has declared for the NBA draft and hired BDA Sports' Calvin Andrews as his agent. ESPN's "Outside the Lines" reported Sunday that Mayo received about $30,000 and other benefits while in high school and during his lone season at USC, then entered into a verbal agreement that allowed the agency to represent him when he turned pro.

"Bill Duffy met O.J. Mayo for the first time shortly before O.J. selected BDA as his agency," BDA Sports said in a statement. "BDA Sports Management's recruitment of O.J. Mayo did not involve any conduct by Calvin Andrews, Bill Duffy or any other BDA employee that could have remotely jeopardized O.J. Mayo's collegiate eligibility. Everything in the recent report that suggests otherwise is false."

Louis Johnson, a former associate of Mayo's, told ESPN that BDA Sports provided Rodney Guillory with about $200,000 before Mayo arrived at USC. Johnson said a portion of that money was given to Mayo.

NCAA rules prohibit giving college athletes money or other gifts.

"O.J. selected BDA based on their achievements and commitment to work closely with him to maximize his considerable potential on and off the court," BDA Sports said.