Chad Baker Mazara no longer with USC program
USC announced Sunday that chad baker mazara, the Trojans' leading scorer, is no longer a member of the men's basketball program. In what turned out to be his final game with USC, Chad Baker-Mazara opted to sit with fans instead of on the team's bench (0: 55).
Final moments against Nebraska
Baker-Mazara left Saturday's home loss to No. 12 Nebraska early in the second half after a hard fall while blocking a shot from Pryce Sandfort. He told coach Eric Musselman he couldn't go back in, then sat near injured USC star Rodney Rice in an area with fans instead of the bench with the rest of the team.
Spokesperson statement and quote
No reason or details for Baker-Mazara's program departure were provided in USC's brief statement issued through team spokesperson Kristen Keller, who in a text message said, "We have nothing additional to add at this time. " After Saturday's game, Musselman was asked about Baker-Mazara's potential injury and 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.
Coach on bench seating
When asked whether it was customary for Baker-Mazara to be sitting next to fans, Musselman said it was because of a shortage of chairs on the bench.
Player background and college stops
Chad Baker-Mazara, a 26-year-old graduate student, transferred to USC last spring as the fifth stop of his college career. He committed to Duquesne out of Spire Academy (Ohio), transferred to San Diego State after his freshman year for one season, then spent a year in junior college at Northwest Florida State.
Auburn run and statistical profile
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.
Role at USC and recent performance
He was on the move again after the Final Four run, transferring to USC to play for Musselman. Baker-Mazara became the Trojans' top offensive option once Rice went down because of a season-ending shoulder injury in late November and averaged a career-high 18. 5 points in 26 games while also putting up career highs in rebounding (4. 2) and assists (2. 8).
Baker-Mazara sat out three games in February because of a knee injury but returned to score 21 points against Oregon and 25 points versus UCLA before Saturday's abbreviated performance.
USC's outlook and remaining schedule
USC (18-11, 7-11 Big Ten) had been in position for its first NCAA tournament bid since 2023, but the Trojans have lost five games in a row, and their status is uncertain. They end the regular season with games at Washington and home against UCLA this week.
The school announced the roster change Sunday, and chad baker mazara is no longer listed as a member of the men's basketball program.
Video of Baker-Mazara sitting with fans instead of on the bench ran 0: 55 and captured what turned out to be his final appearance for USC.
Unclear in the provided context: any additional medical diagnoses, internal team discussions beyond what was stated by Musselman and the team spokesperson, and the specific reasons for the program departure.
