USC's Top Scorer Chad Baker-Mazara Leaves Men's Basketball Team

No details provided on departure of graduate student who was leading scorer for Trojans

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The USC men's basketball team announced on Sunday that Chad Baker-Mazara, their top remaining scorer, is no longer with the program. No further details were provided by the team, but a report indicated it was not due to a single incident but an accumulation of issues that led to Baker-Mazara's departure from the team.

Why it matters

Baker-Mazara was a key player for the Trojans, who have been on the NCAA Tournament bubble this season. His departure is a significant loss for USC as they try to make a late-season push for a tournament bid.

The details

Baker-Mazara, a sixth-year graduate student, put up 14 first-half points in USC's loss to Nebraska on Saturday before exiting the game in the second half after falling hard on the baseline. He has been the Trojans' leading scorer this season, averaging 18.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. Baker-Mazara has played for five different teams in six years of college basketball.

  • On March 1, 2026, USC announced that Baker-Mazara is no longer with the men's basketball program.
  • On February 28, 2026, Baker-Mazara scored 14 points in the first half of USC's loss to Nebraska before exiting the game in the second half.

The players

Chad Baker-Mazara

A sixth-year graduate student who was the leading scorer for the USC men's basketball team this season, averaging 18.6 points per game.

Eric Musselman

The head coach of the USC men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“He said he couldn't go.”

— Eric Musselman, Head Coach (Los Angeles Times)

“it wasn't any one incident, but an accumulation of issues that led to Baker-Mazara's departure.”

— Ryan Kartje, Reporter (Los Angeles Times)

What’s next

The Trojans will finish out the regular season this week with a road game against Washington on Wednesday before returning home for one more clash against rival UCLA on Saturday.

The takeaway

Baker-Mazara's departure is a significant blow to USC's NCAA Tournament hopes, as he was their leading scorer and a key player. The Trojans will need to regroup quickly if they want to make a late-season push for a tournament bid.