Baker-Mazara’s exit from the team comes at an interesting time for the Trojans. The team had been on the first four out in USA TODAY Sports’ latest bracketology, but have lost five games in a row.
Here’s what you need to know about why Baker-Mazara left USC:
Why did Chad Baker-Mazara leave USC?
In his first year with USC ―and his sixth collegiate season ―Baker-Mazara led the Trojans with 18.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. All of his averages were career highs, as he started 22 of 26 games he appeared in for USC.
However, against Nebraska after scoring 14-first half points, Baker-Mazara exited the game three minutes into the second half after falling hard on the baseline while trying to chase down Nebraska’s Pryce Sandfort. He went to the locker room and never re-entered the game.
‘He said he couldn’t go,’ head coach Eric Musselman told reporters after the game.
According to a report from the Los Angeles Times’ Ryan Kartje, ‘it wasn’t any one incident, but an accumulation of issues that led to Baker-Mazara’s departure.’
Does Chad Baker-Mazara have any eligibility left?
After playing six collegiate seasons, Baker-Mazara is out of eligibility, effectively ending his college career.
How old is Chad Baker-Mazara?
Baker-Mazara was born on Jan. 27, 2000. That made him 26 years old during the 2025-26 college basketball season.
Chad Baker-Mazara stats
Here’s a look at Baker-Mazara’s stats in his six collegiate basketball seasons:
2020-21 (Duquesne): 9.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.9 blocks per game on 43.8% shooting, 41.7% 3-point shooting in 24.4 minutes per game (15 games, 13 starts)
2021-22 (San Diego State): 6.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.5 blocks per game on 42% shooting, 39.3% 3-point shooting in 12.8 minutes per game (31 games, 0 starts)
2022-23 (Northwest Florida State): Did not play
2023-24 (Auburn): 10 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.5 blocks per game on 45.2% shooting, 41.8% 3-point shooting in 21.7 minutes per game (35 games, 9 starts)
2024-25 (Auburn): 12.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks per game on 44.8% shooting, 38.1% 3-point shooting in 25.6 minutes per game (38 games, 34 starts)
2025-26 (USC): 18.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.3 blocks per game on 44.4% shooting, 38.1% 3-point shooting in 29.6 minutes per game (26 games, 22 starts)