USC basketball star abruptly leaves program as season nears end

Chad Baker-Mazara, a apical scorer connected the USC Trojans’ men’s hoops team, abruptly exited the programme connected Sunday, the schoolhouse announced.

Baker-Mazara was the team’s second-leading scorer and started 22 of the Trojans’ 26 games. He had 14 points successful an 82-67 nonaccomplishment to No. 12 Nebraska connected Saturday. He lone played 3 of his 19 minutes successful the 2nd fractional aft going down hard connected the baseline.

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Southern California guardant Chad Baker-Mazara (4) leaves the tribunal aft an NCAA assemblage hoops crippled against Nebraska, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, successful Los Angeles.  (AP Photo/William Liang)

USC didn’t springiness a crushed for his departure.

"We person thing further to adhd astatine this time," squad spokesperson Kristen Keller told The Associated Press.

Trojans caput manager Eric Musselman was asked astir Baker-Mazara’s wellness presumption aft the subordinate near the game.

Nebraska defender Jamarques Lawrence (10) drives with the shot past Southern California guardant Chad Baker-Mazara, right, during the archetypal fractional of an NCAA assemblage hoops crippled Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, successful Los Angeles.  (AP Photo/William Liang)

"He said helium couldn’t go," Musselman told reporters, adding that helium didn’t talk to a trainer astir Baker-Mazara’s status.

Baker-Mazara, 26, was a postgraduate pupil from the Dominican Republic. He was the MVP of the Maui Invitational erstwhile the squad played successful Hawaii earlier successful the season.

USC was Baker-Mazara’s 5th school. He started his collegiate vocation astatine Duquesne earlier transferring to San Diego State and aboriginal Northwest Florida State College and Auburn earlier helium ended up astatine USC. He was the Sixth Man of the Year successful the Mountain West Conference erstwhile helium played for the Aztecs and was All-SEC erstwhile helium was with the Tigers.

He was averaging 18.5 points and 4.2 rebounds successful 26 games for USC this season.

Nebraska guardant Braden Frager (5) and Southern California guardant Chad Baker-Mazara, left, respond aft a hard interaction during the archetypal fractional of an NCAA assemblage hoops crippled Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, successful Los Angeles.  (AP Photo/William Liang)

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USC is 18-11 this play with 2 much games near connected the docket earlier the Big Ten Tournament, which begins March 10.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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