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Chad Baker-Mazara controversy, explained: Why did USC abruptly dismiss leading scorer weeks before March Madness? originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Just weeks before March Madness begins, the USC Trojans shared some significant college basketball news on Sunday.
USC announced that its leading scorer, Chad Baker-Mazara, was no longer a member of its program.
The guard, who transferred to the Trojans as the fifth team of his college career last offseason, left the floor with an injury against Nebraska on Sunday, then returned to the bench while sitting away from the rest of the team.
Here's what's known about Baker-Mazara's abrupt dismissal from USC.
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What happened to Chad Baker-Mazara?
Baker-Mazara was dismissed from USC's men's basketball team on Sunday, March 1, the team announced.
"Chad Baker-Mazara is no longer a member of the USC Men's Basketball program," the team's statement read.
No details have yet been released as to why Baker-Mazara was dismissed. However, during Sunday's game against Nebraska, the guard left the game with an apparent injury early in the second half after a hard fall.
Head coach Eric Musselman said Baker-Mazara told him he "couldn't go" after the injury, per ESPN. When Baker-Mazara then returned to the bench area, he did not sit with the rest of the team; instead sitting near injured player Rodney Rice in an area with fans.
Musselman said Baker-Mazara was sitting next to fans because of a shortage of chairs on the bench, per ESPN.
Interesting part of Nebraska vs. USC game yesterday, Chad Baker-Mazara left the game with an injury briefly, came back out to the court but didn't sit on the main bench with the team rather courtside for the rest of the game.
— Chase Matteson (@ChaseMatteson) March 1, 2026
Today, USC moves on from Baker-Mazara.⬇️ https://t.co/PQdAqQco8Ppic.twitter.com/RXt0syRiDE
Why did Chad Baker-Mazara leave USC?
It is unknown whether Baker-Mazara chose to step away from the Trojans or if the team dismissed him. There have also not been any full details of the reasoning behind his departure.
According to ESPN, USC spokesperson Kristen Keller told The Associated Press in a text message: "We have nothing additional to add at this time."
According toRyan Kartje of the Los Angeles Times, a source said Baker-Mazara's dismissal "wasn't any one incident, but an accumulation of issues."
BENDER: Latest projections for 2026 NCAA Tournament Field of 68
How old is Chad Baker-Mazara?
Baker-Mazara is 26 years old. He has been one of the oldest players across college basketball in the 2025-26 season.
He has been playing his sixth NCAA season at USC.
Where is Chad Baker-Mazara transferring to?
There are no known plans for Baker-Mazara to pursue another year at the collegiate level. In fact, should his dismissal from USC stand, the guard's NCAA career is likely over.
Chad Baker-Mazara college eligibility
Baker-Mazara, at the time, does not have any remaining collegiate eligibility. He had been playing this season due to the NCAA's temporary waiver that allowed student-athletes who previously suited up for a non-NCAA school to play a fourth season at an NCAA school.
However, with Baker-Mazara using that final eligibility in 2025-26, his time in college basketball has likely concluded.
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Chad Baker-Mazara college timeline
Baker-Mazara has had one of the longer collegiate careers of any active player, including stops at five different programs.
Duquesne, 2020-21
Baker-Mazara's collegiate career began at Duquesne, where he committed as a prospect out of Spire Academy (Ohio).
He appeared in 15 games and made 13 starts at the school as a freshman, averaging 9.5 points on 43.8 percent shooting.
San Diego State, 2021-22
After his freshman season, Baker-Mazara transferred to San Diego State for one year.
In 2021-22, he averaged 6.4 points and 2.0 rebounds in 31 games, being named the Mountain West Sixth Player of the Year.
Northwest Florida State, 2022-23
Baker-Mazara entered the transfer portal for a third time in 2022, deciding to join Northwest Florida State, which is a junior college.
He averaged 15.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists for the Raiders in 2022-23.
Auburn, 2023-25
The furthest stability of Baker-Mazara's college career came at Auburn, where he transferred to after the 2022-23 season. He would spend two years playing for the Tigers.
Over two seasons, he started 43 games, averaging 11.2 points and 3.3 rebounds, and was a key member of the 2024-25 Auburn squad that won the SEC regular-season title and made a Final Four run.
After his two years at Auburn, Baker-Mazara had one year of eligibility remaining due to the NCAA's temporary waiver about playing for a non-NCAA school.
USC, 2025-26
Baker-Mazara decided to use his final collegiate eligibility at USC this season. He has become the Trojans' leading scorer, averaging career highs in points, rebounds and assists per game.
A knee injury resulted in a few missed games for Baker-Mazara, but up until his dismissal, he was the Trojans' leading force as they hoped to earn an NCAA Tournament bid.
Chad Baker-Mazara 247
Baker-Mazara was not rated by 247Sports as a prospect coming out of high school.
The 6-foot-7 guard/forward was, however, given a four-star rating while in the transfer portal in 2025 before he committed to USC.
Chad Baker-Mazara recruiting class
Baker-Mazara was originally a member of the 2020 recruiting class. His freshman season was played at Duquesne in 2020-21.
Other members of the 2020 recruiting class include well-established NBA stars like Jalen Green, Evan Mobley and Jonathan Kuminga. While Baker-Mazara remained in college, many of the other members in the class quickly went to the NBA.
In honor of Chad Baker Mazara’s collegiate career officially coming to an end, here were the Top 5 recruits in his class. pic.twitter.com/BDhExAvTmZ
— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) March 2, 2026
USC's chances of making March Madness
USC, which is now 18-11 this season, had been in a strong position to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2023, but that has changed a bit.
The Trojans have lost five-straight games, and with two games remaining, they've been projected on the outside of the bubble. ESPN's latest bracketology has USC as one of the "first four out" teams.