USC’s used to getting prized recruits, but they’re usually on the football field. Alas, the one basketball bluechipper they’ve been able to wrangle, OJ Mayo, might not be there much longer. That’s because the current freshman guard decided to take tickets for last week’s Lakers-Nuggets tilt from Denver star Carmelo Anthony, and that’s a big no-no according to the NCAA.

Anthony made the offer of tickets at a party he hosted Sunday night, Mayo said.

“I was talking to him like, ‘Man, you’re out pretty late. You’ve got a game tomorrow against Kobe [Bryant],’ ” Mayo said. “He said, ‘Nah it will be all right.’ And then he asked, ‘You want to come to the game?’ And I was like, ‘Sure.’ “

It was not immediately clear if the NCAA would consider Anthony an agent of the Nuggets or merely an individual who gave tickets to a friend. The tickets Mayo received were located behind courtside seats near mid-court and had a face value of $230 each.

Seriously? Because we understand it he was an actual agent, but an agent for the Nuggets? It’s not like when Mayo declares for the draft, he’s going to be able to choose what team he goes to. So apparently a college basketball player can’t have any friends in the NBA and let them sponsor out a night of fun. Doesn’t the NCAA know that’s where the good booze and hot women are—with the pro ballers? Fine, don’t pay them, but let the college kids have some fun.

Mayo got Lakers tickets from Anthony [LA Times]
Image [faniq.com]