Sylvester Mayes (official thread)

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Blurb from today's dispatch concerning Mayes......

Matta said several weeks ago that he was concerned about Butler and Je’Kel Foster, his best defenders, wearing down late in the season if he wasn’t able to spell them with substitutes he could trust. Since then, the relief corps has shrunk by one with the disappearance of Sylvester Mayes, who hasn’t played in four games after averaging 15.3 minutes in the first 19. Mayes missed the first of those four games because of an ankle injury but has been cleared to play the past three.

Matta said yesterday that Mayes’ inactivity is solely the result of unsatisfactory play and the fact that Butler has raised his performance level. Matta said Mayes is not suspended or ineligible and that he could play tonight. Mayes was not made available to answer questions.

"He just has to understand what we’re trying to do," Matta said. "Scouting (the opponent) is obviously important. Taking care of the ball is obviously important. Execution. Attention to detail.

"If he would (do those things), he can help us. He has shown he can play great basketball."

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

I would like to see Mayes stick with OSU but unless he improves his game next year, I think it would be difficult for him to see quality minutes......

Dispatch

5/12/06

Expect an announcement soon on whether guard Sylvester Mayes will return to the Ohio State men’s basketball team next season.

Mayes, a junior-college transfer, averaged almost 15 minutes the first 20 games last season, then played a total of two minutes in the last 12 games after making several bad decisions in a game against Minnesota and purportedly having a run-in with an assistant coach during practice.
With one year of eligibility, Mayes would have difficulty getting playing time on the perimeter next season with Jamar Butler and Ron Lewis returning and Mike Conley Jr., Daequan Cook and David Lighty arriving.

[Oh8ch]

Mayes, a junior-college transfer, averaged almost 15 minutes the first 20 games last season, then played a total of two minutes in the last 12 games after making several bad decisions in a game against Minnesota and purportedly having a run-in with an assistant coach during practice.

You don't go from 15 minutes to virtually zero because of a few bad decisions. And a 'run-in' with an assistant should only be an issue for a limited period if you are willing to address the issue. This has 'attitude problem' written all over it and it isn't likely to get better sitting behind even more players next year.

Tough break. I like Mayes and we need some depth for practice.

[vrbryant]

Funny (read: not funny) story about Mayes...this past season when he "tweaked" his ankle, he was asked whether or not he wanted to travel with the team to Ann Arbor for the Michigan game. He declined, and - from what I understand - neglected to even watch the game on television. Every indication I got was that he was (a) nonchalant to a fault, and (b) all but uncoachable. You put a different brain in his body, and I'd love to have him coming off the bench next year. As it is, I won't shed any tears over his departure.

[ShakerBuck]

Originally Posted by vrbryant

Funny (read: not funny) story about Mayes...this past season when he "tweaked" his ankle, he was asked whether or not he wanted to travel with the team to Ann Arbor for the Michigan game. He declined, and - from what I understand - neglected to even watch the game on television. Every indication I got was that he was (a) nonchalant to a fault, and (b) all but uncoachable. You put a different brain in his body, and I'd love to have him coming off the bench next year. As it is, I won't shed any tears over his departure.

doesn't sound like a person i'd want to be in a fox hole with

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

I think at this point, its safe to say the chances of him returning are slim to none.......

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

5/23/06

Mayes gone

Junior guard Sylvester Mayes has withdrawn from classes and will not be a member of the team next season, Matta confirmed yesterday. He declined to elaborate. Mayes, a junior-college transfer, averaged nearly 15 minutes per game the first 19 games last season before going to Matta’s doghouse. He never got out, logging two minutes in the last 13 games.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

More of the same.....best of luck to Mayes.....

ozone.net

5/23/06

May 23, 2006 9:55 PM

Men's Basketball: The OSU Men's Basketball office has announced that junior Sylvester Mayes has left the program.

Here is the complete release from Ohio State:

Thad Matta, head coach of the Ohio State men’s basketball team, announced Tuesday the departure of junior Sylvester Mayes, a guard from Fort Wayne, Ind.

"Sylvester Mayes has withdrawn from classes at Ohio State and will no longer be a member of our program," Matta said. "We wish him well in his future endeavors."

Mayes (6-1, 190) played in 20 games and started two for the 26-6 Buckeyes. He averaged 14.7 minutes, 4.2 points and 1.0 rebounds a game for Ohio State in 2005-06.

[BB73]

Best of luck to Sylvester.

But candidly, at this point it's not disappointing to have another scholarship available.

[scooter1369]

Originally Posted by BB73

Best of luck to Sylvester.

But candidly, at this point it's not disappointing to have another scholarship available.

agreed. He's a good player, but with Matta running things, that schollie could be very valuable.

[coastalbuck]

That's a shame, but I do wish him the best of luck. I grew up not far from Ft. Wayne, there was always some great basketball talent in that area.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

That's a shame, but I do wish him the best of luck. I grew up not far from Ft. Wayne, there was always some great basketball talent in that area.

This was the best move for both Mayes and tOSU. From all accounts, Mayes put himself in a position where this was inevitable. You never like to see a kid who has the opportunity to play for tOSU and get an education not take full advantage of it, but for whatever reason Sylvester never really was on the same page with Matta.

Lets hope he lands on his feet somewhere.....

[buckeyeboy]

This story is upsetting b/c I'd imagine that the best thing for Mayes would have been to stay at OSU. I hope things work out for him.

[Oh8ch]

But candidly, at this point it's not disappointing to have another scholarship available.

Sorry, but Mayes has ZERO impact on schollies. We still have two open ships for this class and he was gone after this year in any case.

[AirForceBuck]

As much as I liked the kid, in my opinion, it was wasted talent. He had a great oppertunity and let it slip away. He played great in JUCO ball:

First team JUCO AA, First Team Region 2, Team finished runner up JUCO champs, went 32-2 as a frosh, 27-4 as a soph. He shot 201 of 397 (.506) field goals, 68 of 164 (.415) treys, and 139 of 181 (.768) at the free throw line.

Just sucks to see such talent not cash in. ....Best in luck to Mayes's future.