USC leading scorer Chad Baker-Mazara no longer with program

USC forward Chad Baker-Mazara, the team’s leading scorer, is no longer a member of the men’s basketball program, the school announced Sunday.

Baker-Mazara left Saturday’s home loss to No. 12 Nebraska early in the second half after falling hard after blocking a Pryce Sandfort shot. Baker-Mazara told coach Eric Musselman he couldn’t go back, then sat near injured USC star Rodney Rice in an area with fans instead of on the bench with the rest of the team.

No reasons or details about Baker-Mazara’s departure from the program were provided in USC’s brief statement released by team spokeswoman Kristen Keller, who told The Associated Press in a text message: “We have nothing further to add at this time.”

After Saturday’s game, Musselman was asked about Baker-Mazara’s potential injury and his future status.

“He said he couldn’t go,” Musselman said, adding that he had not spoken to an athletic trainer about the player’s health.

When asked if it was customary for Baker-Mazara to sit next to fans, Musselman said it was because of a lack of chairs on the bench.

Baker-Mazara, a 26-year-old graduate student, transferred to USC last spring as the fifth step in his college career. He committed to Duquesne from Spire Academy (Ohio), transferred to San Diego State after his freshman year for one season, then spent a year in college at Northwest Florida State.

Baker-Mazara finally found some stability at Auburn during his two campaigns with the Tigers. He started 43 games, averaging 11.2 points and 3.3 rebounds and shooting nearly 40% from 3-point range. He was a key starter on Auburn’s 2024-25 team that won the SEC regular season title and advanced to the Final Four.

He was on the move again after the Final Four, transferring to USC to play for Musselman. Baker-Mazara became the Trojans’ best offensive option once Rice went down with a season-ending shoulder injury in late November and averaged a career-high 18.5 points in 26 games while also setting career highs in rebounds (4.2) and assists (2.8).

Baker-Mazara missed three games in February with a knee injury, but returned to score 21 points against Oregon and 25 points against UCLA before Saturday’s abbreviated performance.

USC (18-11, 7-11 Big Ten) was in position for its first NCAA Tournament bid since 2023, but the Trojans have lost five straight and their status is uncertain. They finish the regular season with games at Washington and at home against UCLA this week.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.