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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

In brief: Report says Mayo got cash, gifts from promoter

The Spokesman-Review

A former associate of USC freshman guard O.J. Mayo claims the basketball star received thousands of dollars in cash and other gifts from an event promoter over the past four years that would violate NCAA rules, ESPN reported Sunday.

Louis Johnson told ESPN’s “Outside the Lines,” that Rodney Guillory, a Los Angeles-based event promoter, gave Mayo about $30,000 and other benefits while he attended high school and his sole season at USC. Mayo has decided to forgo his sophomore year and enter the NBA draft.

Guillory received monthly payments from a Northern California sports agency Bill Duffy Associates, the network reported.

Guillory used most of the money to support his own lifestyle but also gave a portion of it to Mayo, Johnson told ESPN. Mayo then entered into a verbal agreement that allowed the agency to represent him when he turned pro, Johnson added.

Giving college athletes money or other gifts violates NCAA policy.

“I will not allow these allegations to become a distraction to me and my family,” Mayo said in a statement to ESPN. “I have not engaged in any wrongdoing.”

Johnson, who claims he didn’t get paid, also gave ESPN receipts and invoices for many of the purchases.

tennis

Djokovic wins at Rome

Novak Djokovic won the 10th title of his career, rallying to defeat unseeded Stanislas Wawrinka 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 at the Rome Masters.

The third-ranked Djokovic won the Australian Open in January for his first Grand Slam title, then captured the Masters Series event in Indian Wells, Calif., in March.

Djokovic’s victory will move him within 310 points of second-ranked Rafael Nadal in the ATP rankings.

“Dina Safina pulled off her third upset of a top-10 player in a week at the German Open, winning the title by defeating ninth-ranked Elena Dementieva 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.

The 17th-ranked Safina also beat No. 1 Justine Henin and No. 8 Serena Williams at the clay-court event.

hockey

Swiss beat Danes

Switzerland defeated Denmark 7-2 at the world hockey championships in Quebec City.

The Swiss outshot the Danes 54-20 — including 23-2 in the second period.

Switzerland, which upset Sweden 4-2 earlier in the tournament, moved temporarily into a tie with the Czech Republic for second place in Group E with nine points.

diving

Chinese divers bested

China did not reign supreme on the final day of competition at the USA Diving Grand Prix in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., giving hope to the other nations preparing for the Beijing Olympics.

The Australians took home two gold medals and a silver, with Russia winning the only other gold medal awarded.

The Chinese still led all countries in the medal count with seven — three gold, two silver and two bronze.

Australia and United States each finished with five medals overall, with the U.S. capturing four silver medals.