Two players with West Virginia connections signed National Basketball Association rookie contracts on Tuesday, and in the process became very rich men.

Huntington native guard O.J. Mayo signed his deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, who acquired the one-year Southern Cal star in a late draft night trade. Forward Joe Alexander, who left West Virginia University after his junior season, signed with Milwaukee.

The NBA rookie salary structure gives the players two-year guarantees in a four-year contract. The final two years of the deals are at the team's option.

As the No. 3 overall draft pick, Mayo gets guarantees of $3,229,200 and $3,471,300 in his first two seasons, with option years at $3,713,500 and $4,693,860 - a four-year, $15.1 million deal.

Alexander was the no. 8 overall pick by the Bucks. His guaranteed years are at $2,002,600 and $2,152,800, with option years of 2,303,000 and $2,929,420 - a total of $9.389 million.

Mayo, a 6-foot-5, 200-pound guard, averaged 20.7 points, 3.3 assists and 1.6 steals a game as a freshman at USC, a year after leading Huntington High to a third straight Class AAA State tournament title in his only season with the highlander program.

The 6-8 Alexander played three years with the Mountaineers and averaged 16.9 points and 6.4 rebounds as a junior last season.