Chad Baker-Mazara, the leading scorer for the USC Trojans men’s basketball team, is no longer a member of the program, the school confirmed on Sunday, March 1. Baker-Mazara was sidelined with an injury in a loss to Nebraska on Saturday.
The sudden departure of the key offensive leader comes as USC’s hopes of making the NCAA Tournament fade.
Due to Baker-Mazara's departure, USC no longer has its top two scorers and portal receipts from the previous campaign; Rodney Rice (20.3 points per game) hasn't played since suffering a right shoulder injury in mid-December.
Injury leads to absence from the game on Saturday
Baker -Mazara led USC in scoring this season, went down hard during USC’s 82-67 home loss to No. 14 Nebraska on Saturday, February 28. He exited the game early and did not return, later seen sitting in the stands while his teammates struggled to keep pace, CBS Sports reported.
After attempting to halt a swift break with 17 minutes remaining in the second half on Sunday, Baker-Mazara fell.
He didn't return to the game. After receiving medical attention in the locker room, Baker-Mazara returned to the game and preferred to watch it from the baseline rather than the sideline bench with his teammates.
{{/usCountry}}He didn't return to the game. After receiving medical attention in the locker room, Baker-Mazara returned to the game and preferred to watch it from the baseline rather than the sideline bench with his teammates.
{{/usCountry}}The Trojans subsequently announced on Sunday that he will no longer play for the programme, with no immediate details provided regarding whether his departure is due solely to his injury. The official statement confirmed the exit but offered no specific explanation.
This story is being updated.