Trending Now - USC Dismisses Leading Scorer Chad Baker-mazara From Team

WHO:

Chad Baker-Mazara, sixth-year senior guard, USC men's basketball team

Eric Musselman, USC head coach

Rodney Rice, injured USC star

Kristen Keller, USC team spokesperson

Nebraska Cornhuskers, USC's opponent

WHAT:

Chad Baker-Mazara was dismissed from the USC men's basketball program on March 1, 2026.

He was the leading scorer for USC, averaging 18.5 points per game, and had a career-high 4.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 26 games this season.

Baker-Mazara scored 14 points in a game against Nebraska on February 28, 2026, before leaving early in the second half after a hard fall.

USC lost to Nebraska 82-67, marking their fifth consecutive loss.

Baker-Mazara's departure was attributed to an accumulation of issues, not a single incident.

WHERE:

USC (University of Southern California), Los Angeles, California

Game against Nebraska took place in Los Angeles, California.

WHEN:

Baker-Mazara was dismissed on March 1, 2026.

He played against Nebraska on February 28, 2026.

USC's regular season ends with games against Washington and UCLA in the week of March 3, 2026.

The Big Ten Tournament begins on March 10, 2026.

WHY:

The school did not provide a specific reason for Baker-Mazara's dismissal, but it was reported to be due to an accumulation of issues.

Baker-Mazara had been less reliable during Big Ten play, with multiple games where he played fewer than 20 minutes.

HOW:

Baker-Mazara left the game against Nebraska after blocking a shot and falling hard, subsequently telling coach Musselman he could not return to play.

He sat with injured teammate Rodney Rice instead of on the bench with the rest of the team due to a shortage of chairs.

ADDITIONAL FACTS:

Baker-Mazara transferred to USC from Auburn, marking his fifth school in his collegiate career.

He was previously the MVP of the Maui Invitational earlier in the season.

Baker-Mazara had a notable performance in the 2024-25 season with Auburn, leading the team with 18 points in the Final Four loss to Florida.

Chad Baker-Mazara, the leading scorer for the USC men's basketball team, was dismissed from the program on March 1 after a series of issues, not linked to a single incident. Just days earlier, he scored 14 points against Nebraska before leaving the game early due to a hard fall, which contributed to USC's fifth consecutive loss, ending the game 82 to 67. As the regular season wraps up with matches against Washington and UCLA this week, the Big Ten Tournament is set to begin on March 10.