MAYO SIGNED, SEALED FAXES LETTER OF INTENT TO USC.

Byline: MATTHEW KREDELL Staff Writer

After months of crossover dribbles and start-stop moves that kept people guessing on his college intentions, O.J. Mayo followed through on his early word and faxed his signed letter of intent to USC on Wednesday.

Mayo, a 6-foot-5 guard who goes to Huntington High in West Virginia, immediately becomes the most high-profile commitment in USC basketball history. He is the top-ranked recruit in the nation by Scout.com.

``It's a great day for USC,'' coach Tim Floyd said. ``I think he has the ability to change this program for the long haul. With him coming and the new Galen Center, it's a tremendous time for us.''

Mayo, who will join the Trojans for the 2007-08 season, can play point guard or shooting guard. He has the reputation of being a great all-around player with a terrific shooting touch, athleticism and an advanced feel for setting up teammates. He's had as much hype as any prep basketball player since LeBron James.

``I think USC is the best situation for me,'' Mayo told USA Today. ``It's the perfect opportunity with coach Floyd there. He coached in the NBA and knows what it takes to reach the league. ... After (football) players like Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart, the school is ready for a player of my caliber.''

Mayo had his pick of the top programs in the nation, so getting him is a coup for Floyd, who is in his second year as USC's coach.

``I respect him because he doesn't have that herd mentality, that he had to be the next guy to go to North Carolina or Duke or Kentucky,'' Floyd said. ``... I hope he has the ability to impact our program like Sean Elliott impacted Arizona, like Ralph Sampson impacted Virginia and like Patrick Ewing impacted Georgetown. Those were places that weren't that good until those players came along, and they became not good but great over the years.''

Floyd said Mayo initiated contact with him and told him he was coming to USC in their first phone conversation.

Mayo was set to announce his commitment at the ABCD Reebok camp in July but changed his mind, and a news conference scheduled at the New Jersey event was canceled.

Even Floyd admits Mayo isn't likely to be at USC more than one year before going to the NBA, which seems to contradict his statement that Mayo will change the program for the long haul. However, Floyd thinks Mayo is the type of player that can forever change a program in one season.

``I think he's (going to do) a lot of things for us,'' Floyd said.''

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