O. J. Mayo

“I really believe I can come in and contribute for any team possible.”

“I was the star of a film you don't want to be the star in.”

“This is a job to me. Hopefully, it's a job that I can do for money one day. I love this game.”

“Obviously a strength of mine is shooting.”

“Not too many guys can say their career was always on the up. You just endure it and continue to work hard, continue to try to be a better player.”

“I was real close with Jason Kidd.”

“When you've got guys touching the ball on the offensive end, they're really into the defensive end.”

“A lot of people who went to SC didn't play ball - people who do films, lawyers and doctors, people who do things in real estate and business. There's a lot of people that make things happen out here.”

“There are just so many substances that are considered banned substances because in some way it could help your performance on the court. As athletes, we should be responsible for what we put in our bodies.”

“That was the lowest point in my entire life: The shellshock of not being in the NBA. All my peers are playing and I'm not because of boneheaded mistakes.”

“I've just been eating, sleeping basketball.”

“Attending USC has been such a great experience for me and has really helped prepare me for my next step in life.”

“You don't want to be ball chasing or really forcing the issue because that looks bad. You've got to just take what they give you and have an opportunity to knock down some shots.”

“When you're on campus, you go through a lot of hard times and you need someone to talk to.”

“I've just learned that you can't take this game for granted. You have to stay professional and stay focused and stay prepared to produce and continue to work hard. Nothing's given.”

“I think it's a great thing that players have to go to school for at least a year. I think it definitely helps you in the long run.”

“In the barber shop you start playing checkers, and eventually you want to learn how to play chess. The pieces look a little more interesting. You're doing more things. I'm pretty good at it.”