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USC shockingly dismissed the team’s leading scorer, Chad Baker-Mazara, on March 1. The decision came after USC lost to Nebraska on Feb. 28, and Baker-Mazara took a big fall during the game that sidelined him for the majority of the second half.
The loss marked USC’s fifth consecutive loss in Big Ten conference play. USC did not reveal the reason why Baker-Mazara was dismissed. But now, in an exclusive interview with USA Today, former USC graduate student forward Terrance Williams shared what happened after the Feb. 28 game.
“People’s emotions flared up,” Williams II told USA TODAY Sports. “Trying to figure out what’s going on. People want to win at the end of the day, you know. Coaches trying to figure it out, players trying to figure it out.”
Williams II said Baker-Mazara called out some players on the team in the locker room after the loss.
“Some people were one foot in, one foot out,” Williams said. “CB realized that, a lot of people on the team realized that. CB wasn’t the only one to speak up.”
Baker-Mazara told USA Today he has not spoken to USC head coach Eric Musselman since his dismissal.
Jan 2, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Eric Musselman talks to forward Chad Baker-Mazara (4) in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
When Baker-Mazara exited the Feb. 28 game after the fall, he sat near fans rather than on USC’s bench. But he told USA Today he was still surprised Musselman never reached out because they had a strong relationship.
“It’s really hurtful,” Baker-Mazara said, per USA Today. “Because I thought I had a strong enough relationship that we could just sit down and talk about anything. At least that’s what it was throughout the whole year.
“… Me and him didn’t see eye to eye on everything but at the end of the day, I feel like we had a strong enough relationship, or nothing bad enough happened, to where I should’ve been dismissed from the team.”
Baker-Mazara is now out of NCAA eligibility but reportedly wants to continue his basketball career in the NBA. According to USA Today, Baker-Mazara is working with development trainer Stanley Remy to prepare for the NBA Draft.
The 6-foot-7 guard may have some difficulty getting drafted. His dismissal from USC along with his dismissal from San Diego State for academic reasons in 2022 and his ejection from the first-round NCAA Tournament game with Auburn in 2024 may make some NBA teams hesitant to draft Baker-Mazara.
The NBA Draft is set for June 23 and 24 in Brooklyn, New York.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The post Chad Baker-Mazara Reveals Reason USC Dismissed Him in Middle of Season appeared first on LA Sports Report.
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The loss marked USC’s fifth consecutive loss in Big Ten conference play. USC did not reveal the reason why Baker-Mazara was dismissed. But now, in an exclusive interview with USA Today, former USC graduate student forward Terrance Williams shared what happened after the Feb. 28 game.
“People’s emotions flared up,” Williams II told USA TODAY Sports. “Trying to figure out what’s going on. People want to win at the end of the day, you know. Coaches trying to figure it out, players trying to figure it out.”
Williams II said Baker-Mazara called out some players on the team in the locker room after the loss.
“Some people were one foot in, one foot out,” Williams said. “CB realized that, a lot of people on the team realized that. CB wasn’t the only one to speak up.”
Baker-Mazara Has Not Spoken to Musselman Since Dismissal
Baker-Mazara told USA Today he has not spoken to USC head coach Eric Musselman since his dismissal.
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Jan 2, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Eric Musselman talks to forward Chad Baker-Mazara (4) in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
When Baker-Mazara exited the Feb. 28 game after the fall, he sat near fans rather than on USC’s bench. But he told USA Today he was still surprised Musselman never reached out because they had a strong relationship.
“It’s really hurtful,” Baker-Mazara said, per USA Today. “Because I thought I had a strong enough relationship that we could just sit down and talk about anything. At least that’s what it was throughout the whole year.
“… Me and him didn’t see eye to eye on everything but at the end of the day, I feel like we had a strong enough relationship, or nothing bad enough happened, to where I should’ve been dismissed from the team.”
Baker-Mazara Wants to Play in the NBA
Baker-Mazara is now out of NCAA eligibility but reportedly wants to continue his basketball career in the NBA. According to USA Today, Baker-Mazara is working with development trainer Stanley Remy to prepare for the NBA Draft.
The 6-foot-7 guard may have some difficulty getting drafted. His dismissal from USC along with his dismissal from San Diego State for academic reasons in 2022 and his ejection from the first-round NCAA Tournament game with Auburn in 2024 may make some NBA teams hesitant to draft Baker-Mazara.
The NBA Draft is set for June 23 and 24 in Brooklyn, New York.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The post Chad Baker-Mazara Reveals Reason USC Dismissed Him in Middle of Season appeared first on LA Sports Report.
Continue reading...
