Zeke Mayo
Zeke Mayo’s basketball journey began at Lawrence High School in Lawrence, Kansas. During his senior year, he demonstrated impressive skills, averaging 21.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. His excellent performance earned him the DiRenna Award, recognizing him as the best player in the Kansas City area. After his successful high school career, Mayo committed to playing college basketball at South Dakota State University.
Mayo’s college career at South Dakota State earned him significant recognition. In his freshman year (2022), he was named to the Summit League All-Newcomer Squad, appearing in all 35 games and starting in 21. He averaged 9.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, scoring in double figures in 20 games. His sophomore and junior years were particularly impactful. He was a two-time First-team All-Summit League selection (2023, 2024) and was named the Summit League Player of the Year in 2024. As a junior, he averaged 18.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, earning him a spot as a finalist for the Lou Henson Award for the best mid-major player in NCAA Division I men’s basketball. He shot 46.6% from the field, 39.1% from the three-point line, and 82.8% from the free-throw line during his junior season.
After his impressive tenure at South Dakota State, Mayo entered the transfer portal and the 2024 NBA draft. On April 2, 2024, he announced his commitment to the University of Kansas for the 2024-2025 season. As a senior at Kansas, he was named to the Big 12 All-Newcomer Team and Third-team All-Big 12 (2025). His status in the 2025 draft indicated he went undrafted.
In recent news, on October 18, 2025, Zeke Mayo was waived by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He had previously signed an NBA contract with the Cavaliers, as reported by his agency. After being waived, Mayo is expected to join the Cavaliers’ G League affiliate, the Cleveland Charge. Throughout his college career, Mayo primarily played as a point guard or shooting guard, demonstrating versatility in his offensive game.
