O.j. Mayo

AFTER PLAYING high school basketball for six years (he started in seventh grade) at three schools in three states, O.J. Mayo graduated from his hometown Huntington (W.Va.) High last Saturday. Next week? He heads to L.A. to take summer classes and begin his college career at USC. The most renowned high school player since LeBron James, Mayo has won three straight state basketball titles: two in Ohio at Cincinnati's North College Hill and one in West Virginia this year, when the 6'5" point guard averaged 28.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists. He surprised the college basketball world, including future coach Tim Floyd, when he signed with USC—which hadn't bothered to recruit him, believing he was out of its league.

On why he chose USC
I like Coach Floyd. He's overachieved. He took the Bulls job when no one wanted it. The Hornets went to New Orleans, he took that job and still did well. I wanted to play for a guy with the hunger and desire to be successful, knowing he's going to push me. At the same time, it's L.A.—it's great marketing. I'll get my face on the West Coast.

On his goals at USC
To win a national championship, plain and simple. Nothing else, no Pac 10 first-team, no player of the year—if it happens to come, it comes, but I want to win a national championship. The summer will be important for us to gel. We'll get a chance to play a lot in open gym.

On what he'll study at USC
Business management, but I also want to do real estate investment. In my hometown I want to fix up the old houses and put in a pool and a lot of stuff for the community. I want to let people know that there are opportunities, that you can make your own playbook. Work at it, and anything can happen.

On the origin of his name
My grandfather is named Ovinton, and I was named after him. Then, my mom [Alisha] just chose J'Anthony as my middle name.

On deciding to return to Huntington for his senior season
I had the idea that I was going to head west for college, so I wanted to be around my family and my friends and my mom for my last year. I know I'll never live at home again. I wanted to get some home love and eat my mom's cooking.

On being a public figure
This is what it's been since childhood. You grow into it. It's been this way for five, six, seven years. Now I guess you can call it my life. People have been following me since I was in seventh grade. I've never had the chance to really be a kid.

On being suspended after bumping an official in January
You get to see who's there for O.J. and not just there for the basketball player. You see who is your true friend. You do one negative thing, it goes worldwide. You look at that and say, I want to do so many good things that people forget the negative things.

On the NBA player he emulates
Kobe Bryant—as far as his focus and determination.

On a movie idol
I like Bruce Lee movies. You see the focus in what he does. He perfects every kick, every punch, every nunchuck. Whatever he's doing, he just perfects it. We try to perfect everything we do in basketball.