USC leading scorer Chad Baker-Mazara no longer with program - ESPN

USC forward Chad Baker-Mazara, the team's leading scorer, is no longer a member of the men's basketball program, the school announced Sunday.

Baker-Mazara left Saturday's loss to No. 12 Nebraska early in the second half following a hard fall after he blocked a shot by Pryce Sandfort. Baker-Mazara told coach Eric Musselman he couldn't go back in, then went and sat with injured USC star Rodney Rice in a section for fans, not on the bench with the rest of the team.

No reason or details for Baker-Mazara's program departure were provided in USC's brief statement issued through team spokesperson Kristen Keller, who told The Associated Press in a text message: «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 a trainer about the player's health.

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.

Baker-Mazara, a 26-year-old graduate student, transferred to USC last spring, with the Trojans 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, spent one season with the Aztecs, then spent a year in junior college at Northwest Florida State.

Baker-Mazara finally found some stability at Auburn, spending two seasons with the Tigers. He started 43 games over two seasons, 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, which won the SEC regular-season title and advanced to the Final Four.

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