USC NBA draft history: OJ Mayo was part of a Los Angeles gold rush in 2008
The 2024 NBA draft is likely to have a significant Pac-12 presence in the first several picks. USC’s Isaiah Collier and Colorado’s Cody Williams are both projected to be top-five selections by multiple outlets and experts.
If USC and the Pac-12 both live up to the hype in men’s basketball this coming season, Collier might have an outside chance at being a top-three pick. If Collier is able to become the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NBA draft, he would tie two former USC stars in the annals of NBA draft history.
Evan Mobley, as you likely know, was the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NBA draft. He and O.J. Mayo are the highest draft picks in USC men’s basketball history.
Mayo was part of a special Pac-12 NBA draft class in 2008, with the city of Los Angeles dominating the top of the draft board.
Mayo was the third pick of the 2008 draft, going to the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizz sure wish they had taken another college star from Los Angeles, the man who went at No. 4 to the Seattle SuperSonics, who relocated to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder just six days after the 2008 draft.
Kevin Love, who just played in the 2023 NBA Finals with the Miami Heat and has been part of numerous conference champions in his lengthy NBA career, went at No. 5 in the 2008 draft to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
This is the only time in history that the Pac-12 has produced three top-five draft picks. It is one of two instances in the 21st century in which the Pac-12 created three of the top seven NBA draft picks.
We will see what Isaiah Collier does in his upcoming season at USC. That will shape his NBA draft outlook for 2024.
