USC Dismisses Basketball Player Chad Baker-Mazara

The 26-year-old senior left Saturday's game against Nebraska and was later dismissed from the team.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 1:47pm

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According to a press release from the University of Southern California, senior basketball player Chad Baker-Mazara is no longer a part of the 2025-26 USC Trojans basketball team. The 26-year-old Baker-Mazara left Saturday's home loss against Nebraska after taking a hard fall, sitting in the stands rather than with his teammates on the bench.

Why it matters

Baker-Mazara was a key player for the Trojans, averaging 18.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game this season. His dismissal comes at a critical time for USC, which has lost five straight games and is fighting to stay in the NCAA Tournament conversation.

The details

After leaving Saturday's game, Baker-Mazara sat in an area for fans beyond the baseline rather than with his teammates on the bench. USC head coach Eric Musselman said "He said he couldn't go" after the game. Baker-Mazara has started 22 of 26 games for the Trojans this season, shooting 44.4% from the field, 38.1% from three-point range, and 89.5% from the free-throw line.

  • Baker-Mazara left Saturday's home loss vs. Nebraska after taking a hard fall.
  • USC announced Baker-Mazara's dismissal from the team in a press release on Sunday.

The players

Chad Baker-Mazara

A 26-year-old senior basketball player who was dismissed from the USC Trojans program after leaving a game against Nebraska.

Eric Musselman

The head coach of the USC Trojans basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“He said he couldn't go,”

— Eric Musselman, USC Head Coach

What’s next

USC has two regular season games remaining, a road game at Washington and a home game against UCLA. The Trojans will need to regroup quickly if they hope to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

The dismissal of a key player like Chad Baker-Mazara is a significant blow to USC's basketball program, especially as they try to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. This incident raises questions about team chemistry and discipline that the Trojans will need to address heading into the postseason.