Mayo still hopes to play for USC

O.J. Mayo is not expected to sign a binding letter of intent with USC during the early signing period that begins today, but the 6-foot-5 point guard does hope to play for the Trojans next season, a source close to the situation said Monday, adding “There’s no other place that he’s even thinking about.”

Mayo, from Huntington (W.Va.) High, is rated among the top high school seniors in the nation. He could sign with USC in the spring signing period that begins in April.

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UCLA, in consultation with the NCAA, has ruled freshman forward Nikola Dragovic ineligible for the Bruins’ first 10 games because he competed on a Serbian club team that included one player who had signed a professional contract.

The length of the suspension equals the number of games Dragovic played for the club team. Dragovic said he had been assured by club officials that he would retain his college eligibility and was unaware that the player -- a 40-year-old whom Dragovic said was “playing just for fun” -- was being compensated.

“It’s really upsetting for Nikola and his family for having tried to do the right thing, and it’s unfortunate for us because we need him and we’re going to miss him here these first 10 games,” said UCLA Coach Ben Howland, who called the native of Serbia and Montenegro one of the team’s best shooters and passers.

Dragovic, who is 6-8 and 215 pounds, will continue to practice with the Bruins but won’t accompany them to the Maui Invitational later this month. He can compete in UCLA’s exhibition against Humboldt State on Thursday, but Howland said he would likely limit Dragovic’s playing time in favor of eligible players.

Dragovic will be eligible to return for the game against Michigan on Dec. 23 at Pauley Pavilion.

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Winning the job as UCLA point guard Darren Collison’s backup may not be Russell Westbrook’s most impressive feat as a freshman. More remarkable might be Westbrook’s ability to comprehend roommate Dragovic, who speaks with a thick accent.

“That’s a new experience, understanding what he’s saying,” Westbrook said. “Sometimes he says something and I have to ask him to repeat it again, or he’ll ask me how to pronounce” something.

Nothing has been lost in translation for Westbrook on the court, where he has drawn some impressive comparisons.

“He reminds me of me a lot last year when I came,” Collison said. “He’s just a hungry point guard like I was.”

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UCLA junior center Lorenzo Mata has resumed individual workouts in his recovery from arthroscopic knee surgery and hopes to begin full-contact practice Saturday.

Mata said he expected to play in the season opener against Brigham Young on Nov. 15 at Pauley Pavilion.

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The Bruins are expected to receive letters of intent today from Kevin Love, a 6-9 forward from Lake Oswego (Ore.) High, and Chace Stanback, a 6-7 forward from L.A. Fairfax High. Assuming no current Bruins leave early for the NBA draft, the two signees would fill UCLA’s allotment of available scholarships for next season. The Bruins have no seniors on this season’s roster.

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X-rays on the right shoulder of USC senior shooting guard Lodrick Stewart were negative. Stewart injured the area several days ago in a collision with teammate RouSean Cromwell but continued to practice. Cromwell returned to practice Tuesday after being sidelined the previous day because of flu-like symptoms.... Admission to USC’s only exhibition at the Galen Center, against Cal Poly Pomona at 1 p.m. Saturday, is free.

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