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Memphis Grizzlies: 25 Best To Play For The Grizzlies

By Phil Watson

Apr 22, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; General view of towels on the seats prior to the San Antonio Spurs at the Memphis Grizzlies in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; General view of towels on the seats prior to the San Antonio Spurs at the Memphis Grizzlies in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 18: O.J. Mayo #32 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots the ball around Chris Kaman #35 of the New Orleans Hornets at New Orleans Arena on January 18, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 18: O.J. Mayo #32 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots the ball around Chris Kaman #35 of the New Orleans Hornets at New Orleans Arena on January 18, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

12. player. 211. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Trade, Minnesota Timberwolves, June 26, 2008.. SG. 2008-12. O.J. Mayo

O.J. Mayo was a known name in basketball circles long before hitting the NBA. The well-publicized No. 1 high-school recruit in the nation played one season at USC, averaging 20.7 points per game, and entered the NBA Draft.

The Memphis Grizzlies acquired the rights to Mayo, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, in a draft night deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, also acquiring Antoine Walker, Marko Jaric and Greg Buckner in exchange for Mike Miller, Brian Cardinal, Jason Collins and the rights to fifth overall pick Kevin Love.

MEM_12_MAYO
MEM_12_MAYO /

Mayo came in and immediately won the starting shooting guard spot, earning All-Rookie first team honors in 2008-09 while finishing third in the NBA in total minutes.

He played his final two seasons with the Grizzlies as their sixth man before the team declined to extend a qualifying offer to him in the summer of 2012, making him an unrestricted free agent.

In four years in Memphis, Mayo averaged 15.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 steals in 32.8 minutes per game on .433/.375/.817 shooting.

In July 2012, he signed a one-year free-agent contract with the Dallas Mavericks. Back in free agency in July 2013, he inked a three-year, $24 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.

In 2015-16, Mayo was limited to 41 games with hamstring problems and, in March, a broken ankle that sidelined him for the season. He averaged 7.8 points, 2.9 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 26.6 minutes per game, while shooting .371/.321/.775.

On July 1, 2016, when Mayo would have officially become a free agent, he was handed a two-year suspension by the NBA for multiple violations of its anti-drug program. Mayo will have to apply to be reinstated once the suspension expires in 2018.

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