Key players in the O.J. Mayo saga

The NCAA has opened an investigation into allegations that O.J. Mayo received cash and other gifts before he enrolled at USC and during the time he played for the Trojans basketball team, which would be a violation of NCAA rules. Here’s a who’s who of those involved in the story:

* O.J. Mayo – A 6-foot-5 guard from Huntington, W. Va., he raised eyebrows with his choice of USC over more successful college basketball programs. The leading scorer for the Trojans last season as a freshman, he recently announced that he would enter the NBA draft and is considered a likely lottery pick.

* Louis Johnson – Former Long Beach Press-Telegram sportswriter and Mayo confidant told ESPN that a Los Angeles-based events promoter provided the player with a flat-screen TV, cellphone service, cash, meals, clothes and other benefits dating to when Mayo first entered high school.

* Rodney Guillory – The man Johnson says received more than $200,000 in cash and benefits from BDA Sports Management and used a portion of it to fete Mayo with gifts in violation of college rules. He has longtime ties to the L.A. basketball scene and was identified by the NCAA in 2001 as a “runner” for another sports agency, which led to sanctions against Fresno State and one of its players.

* Bill Duffy – Chairman and CEO of BDA Sports Management, which allegedly paid Guillory to influence Mayo’s choice of sports agents. Mayo recently announced that BDA would represent him as a professional.

* Calvin Andrews – The BDA agent who Mayo says will represent him.

* Tito Maddox – Former Compton High star and Fresno State player says Guillory, who befriended him in 1998, arranged for him and his family to receive about $30,000 and cars from a Las Vegas-based agent in violation of NCAA rules.

* Jeff Trepagnier – Another Compton High product, he was suspended by USC during the 2000-01 season for accepting airfare to Las Vegas from Guillory. He plays for Pau in the French league.

* Ron Delpit – Former president of now-defunct Las Vegas-based agency Franchise Sports, which the NCAA implicated in sanctioning Maddox and others.

Los Angeles Times