Sylvester Mayes (official thread)

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Mayes Signed, Sealed and Delivered
By Kyle Lamb
Date: Nov 11, 2004

Guard Sylvester Mayes of Redlands CC in Oklahoma made a verbal commitment to Ohio State back in September, and yesterday he made it official by signing on the dotted line to play at Ohio State. Kyle Lamb caught up with Mayes yesterday for some comments.

Although there was little question, Buckeye fans can now welcome the newest Buckeye to the Ohio State Nation. Sylvester Mayes has signed his national letter of intent.

The 6-2 195-pound guard from Redlands Community College in El Reno, Okla. confirmed with Bucknuts on Wednesday evening that he is now official.

"My coach called me in this afternoon and we got it all done and sent," Mayes said yesterday. "Then it was back off to class. It was somewhat of a hectic day."

Through four games this season, Redlands is 4-0 on the season behind over 20 points a game by the sophomore. Mayes also is averaging six steals a game as he's worked hard to become a defensive stopper in addition to his prolific shooting ability.

"You've got to (work hard on defense)," Mayes commented. "Defense wins games, and I want to be the best all-around player I can be."

The native of South Bend, IN averaged 14 points a game last year as a freshman sixth-man for Redlands as one of the top newcomers in the nation.

Mayes gave a verbal commitment to the Buckeyes back in the middle of September and is glad to finally finalize everything.

"I felt really good (yesterday)," Mayes said. "Everyone was congratulating me and everything. They were patting me on the back and saying how proud they were I was going (to Ohio State)."

Although Mayes cannot get to play with his new teammates until the summer at the earliest, he's excited about the thoughts of playing with them.

On his visit, Mayes was impressed with what he saw in some of the current players, as well as the guy he will be coming into Ohio State with, Brayden Bell.

"Brayden is pretty good. He's coming out of high school but he's definitely got some game. It's going to be fun playing with him," Mayes said. "One of my friends from high school played with Je'Kel (at Chipola last year). Je'Kel is a real good player too."

Mayes is excited to finish the season and begin his Ohio State career.

"I feel confident about what we can do (at Ohio State)," Mayes concluded. "I like everything about the place I'm going to and I think we're going to have a lot of fun together."

Welcome aboard Sylvester.....go Bucks!

[scooter1369]

Nice.

[jimotis4heisman]

this is old but still man o man nov 30
http://www.swtimes.com/archive/2004/...ful_lions.html

Sophomore guard Sylvester Mayes is among the Cougars’ top scorers. Mayes, who’s signed with Ohio State, hit for 41 points against UAFS in the first game.

[tsteele316]

It was insider hoops, or hoopscoop that rated mayes as the #19 player in the country overall coming out of high school.

I guess he was a ward of the state at one point and had some rough times.

It looks like he has it together now. He and Butler could be a pretty tough backcourt duo for osu.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

It was insider hoops, or hoopscoop that rated mayes as the #19 player in the country overall coming out of high school.

I read in BN the magazine that Mayes is considered a top prospect for the NBA, the kid has talent, due to his problems off the court he was not voted Mr. Indiana in basketball, but if you read between the lines, it was political and he was deserving of that award.

Seems like a nice addition to the program, the kid has had a checkered past, so to speak. I hope he does well.

[jimotis4heisman]

http://nbadraft.net/profiles/sylvestermayes.htm

Sylvester Mayes
Birthdate:
NBA Position: Point Guard
College: Undecided
Class: Freshman
Ht: 6-2
Wt:
Hometown: Ft Wayne, IN
High School: Ft Wayne
2002 Stats


NBA Comparison: Baron Davis

Strengths: Tremendous shooter with unlimited range. Can catch and shoot equally as well as he can shoot off the dribble. NBA caliber physique with outstanding athleticism. Has sensational body control and is able to avoid the charge when penetrating. Has great explosion off the dribble. Can get to the rack on any defender. Is an excellent passer and penetrater. Is a scoring point guard who makes others around him better. Has good floor vision, and is a slick ball handler.

Weaknesses: Needs to concentrate all the time on defense. He has the ability to shut his man down when he stays focused. Tends to get bored with lesser competition.

[NOTREDAMECHIEF]

Mayes grew up in South Bend, IN. and by most acounts was by far the best high school player in the area. For some reason he moved to the Ft. Wayne area after his soph. year (I think) and continued playing basketball there. I saw Sean Kemp play in high school and IMO Mayes was much more exciting to watch...