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On Sunday morning’s ESPN show “Outside the Lines”, a story aired involving NCAA-Basketball sensation -and likely NBA first-round draftee- O.J. Mayo. Allegedly, Mayo has been accepting money and gifts (in the form of cash, clothes, and other benefits) since playing high school ball (in Ohio and West Virginia), all the way through his first (and so far only) year at the University of Southern California. These are similar allegations New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush, had to deal with, during his tenure as RB of the prestigious USC. This is of course, in direct violation of NCAA rules. BetUs.com has NBA odds for winning margins in the Boston Celtics/Cleveland Cavaliers playoffs series. In the report, a man by the name of Louis Johnson states he was (until recently) part of O.J. Mayo’s “inner circle” of friends. Johnson also claims, the young athlete has been receiving monetary benefits for some time now, dating all the way back to his high school days. According to Johnson, Mayo has received over $30,000 in cash and gifts (during the past four years)  from a Los Angeles event promoter by the name of Rodney Guillory. In addition, Mayo has also accepted: flat-screen TVs, free cell phone services, hotel rooms, clothes, meals, and airline tickets for his family and friends. The provider, Rodney Guillory, has allegedly been employed by a Northern California sports agency: Bill Duffy Associates. Johnson, ensures the BDA had provided Guillory with around $200,000 for the young athlete, before Mayo even set a foot at USC. “In exchange for the payments and gifts, Mayo entered a verbal agreement to allow BDA to represent him when he turned pro, Johnson told 'Outside the Lines' " (ESPN). Shockingly, O.J. Mayo denies these allegations, stating: "I don't know anything about it. It caught me by surprise. I've got to get to L.A. to see what's going on. I'm just focusing on the draft.” When asked directly, if he had received any monies from Guillory, Mayo responded: "No sir, I did not receive any money from Calvin or Rodney or anything. It all caught me by surprise." How gullible do these athletes and agents alike, think people are? High schools do it: giving away free grades to outstanding athletes. How are these students going to afford the lifestyle they portray (i.e. LeBron James in a Hummer). Do you really think: Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and Reggie Bush weren’t all recipients of cash and gifts, in exchange for a commitment to a professional contract? Lets not be naïve, simply because in the end, they [athletes] are all investments. It always boils down one thing, and one thing only… dollars and cents. BetUs.com has NBA odds for winning margins in the Boston Celtics/Cleveland Cavaliers playoffs series: BOS Celtics to win by 1-2: +900 BOS Celtics to win by 3-6: +400 BOS Celtics to win by 7-9: +800 BOS Celtics to win by 10-13: +1000 BOS Celtics to win by 14-16: +1800 BOS Celtics to win by 17-20: +2200 BOS Celtics to win by 21+: +2500 CLE Cavaliers to win by 1-2: +800 CLE Cavaliers to win by 3-6: +300 CLE Cavaliers to win by 7-9: +550 CLE Cavaliers to win by 10-13: +600 CLE Cavaliers to win by 14-16: +1200 CLE Cavaliers to win by 17-20: +1400 CLE Cavaliers to win by 21+: +1400
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