Former Memphis Grizzlies Guard OJ Mayo Is Caught In The Middle Of The CBA's Delay In Resuming Play
OJ Mayo was labeled as former Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley's "little Kobe Bryant" when the 6'4" shooting guard was acquired during a draft-day trade for Kevin Love during the 2008 NBA Draft. A turbulent career that derailed his expectations led to him playing in the Chinese Basketball Association and SI Senior Writer Alex Prewitt detailed how Mayo is now caught in the middle of their attempt to resume play.
As Grizzlies fans know, Mayo was a prolific scorer dining his rookie campaign, playing at a level close to eventual Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose for the majority of the season. Mayo averaged a career-high 18.5 that season, with his production and confidence seeming to diminish as his four-year tenure with the Grizzlies progressed. A botched trade deadline deal, being relegated to come off of the bench and black-eye suffered from teammate Tony Allen during a card game were all the low-lights of his disappointing time here
Mayo now finds himself in the Chinese Basketball Association after a two-year ban for use of an illegal substance had him out of the NBA. He has been successful there and decided to stay there during the pandemic after once wanting to leave for mistakingly safer pastures back on American soil. Mayo is now in a place where is waiting for the league to resume play after several postponements and push-backs of the originally planned return date. The former Grizzlies guard has taken a total of four tests for the COVID-19 coronavirus and is preparing himself for a season that is still in question, to say the least.
- Have you signed up for the AllGrizzlies Community Board? We are trying to create a new place to share posts and have intriguing and fun conversations about all things related to the Memphis Grizzlies! Once you sign up, feel free to post as you like. It is actually the best way to interact with me going forward as well. We will also be looking for group admins as well. See you soon and Go Grizz!
--We also want to know how you all are dealing with the NBA being suspended right now. How are you spending your time while there are no games being played? Post as many things as you can as well as your viewpoint on anything else that's going on with the NBA or the Grizzlies right now!--
- Anthony Sain - Memphis Grizzlies Beat Writer and Lead Editor For Sports Illustrated's All Grizzlies.com
Follow Us On Twitter: @AllGrizzlies @SainAsylum
Turn on the notifications on @AllGrizzlies to get updates on when all of our articles are posted.
Like Us On Facebook: Search: Grizzlies Maven or Sports Illustrated Grizzlies.
