Photo: scott mecum · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in United States · Nationality American — sport / basketball / NCAA / NBA / sporting discipline

O.J. Mayo

Documented profile covering 5 controversies, including “1 July 2016: Dismissal and disqualification from NBA for anti-drug programme violation” and “January 2011: Altercation with Tony Allen on Grizzlies plane following card-game debt”.

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Profile No. 2252 · Updated on 12 October 2026

5Documented controversies

6Sources

0Formal charge · all time

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

2016-07-01

1 July 2016: Dismissal and disqualification from NBA for anti-drug programme violation

Civil / administrative proceedings

The NBA announced that Mayo was 'dismissed and disqualified' for violating the NBA/NBPA anti-drug programme, with the possibility of applying for reinstatement after two years.

State of the evidence: Documented

Sources · 1

[1]
NBA CommunicationsO.J. Mayo dismissed and disqualified from NBA for violation of NBA/NBPA anti-drug programSports governing bodyVery high reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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2011-01

January 2011: Altercation with Tony Allen on Grizzlies plane following card-game debt

No legal proceedings

Mayo and teammate Tony Allen fought on the team plane following a dispute over a card-game debt. Allen subsequently confirmed that the incident was behind them and that the two players had reconciled.

State of the evidence: Admitted by the person

Sources · 1

[1]
Sports IllustratedBack from shoulder injury, Gay out to show he belongs in MemphisPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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2011-01-27–2011-02

January 2011: Ten-game NBA suspension for anti-drug programme violation

Civil / administrative proceedings

The NBA suspended Mayo for ten games following a positive test for a prohibited substance. Mayo explained that an over-the-counter supplement contained DHEA and accepted responsibility for not having checked the product sufficiently.

State of the evidence: Documented

Sources · 1

[1]
Reuters / Christian Science MonitorO.J. Mayo of Memphis Grizzlies banned after positive drug testNews agencyHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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2008–2010

2008–2010: Improper benefits linked to Rodney Guillory, NCAA ineligibility and USC sanctions

No legal proceedings

Cash and other benefits from Rodney Guillory, who was linked to a sports agent, were associated with Mayo and his entourage during his recruitment and time at USC. USC subsequently declared Mayo ineligible, withdrew from the 2010 postseason, returned NCAA revenues and vacated 21 wins from 2007–2008; the NCAA accepted these measures and imposed a disassociation requirement.

State of the evidence: Documented

Sources · 2

[1]
Los Angeles TimesUSC assistant coach Tony Bland among 10 charged in college basketball corruption probePressHigh reliability
[2]
Marquette Sports Law ReviewSports law analysis of USC self-imposed sanctionsAcademic publicationHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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2007-01-26–2007-02

2007: Contact with high-school referee and three-game suspension following West Virginia court proceedings

Civil / administrative proceedings

During a Huntington High School game, Mayo received two technical fouls, was ejected and made contact with a referee. Following a temporary injunction challenging the sanction, an agreement ultimately provided for a three-game suspension.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
Associated Press / Houston ChroniclePrep star Mayo loses appeal, draws 3-game suspensionNews agencyHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

No documented link with another published profile for now.

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

III. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.

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