Chad Baker-Mazara has had a breakout season at USC since transferring from Auburn last season. The 6’7″ guard, born in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic, is averaging 18.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game in 26 games with the Trojans.
On Sunday, reports surfaced that the sixth-year senior was dismissed from the team amid a string of issues during the Trojans’ five-game losing streak. The dismissal came so abruptly that even NBA legend and former Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas, whose son Alijah plays for USC, delivered an expletive-laden reaction hours after the news spread.
Gilbert Arenas Slams USC for the Dismissal of Chad Baker-Mazara
Arenas, who played for the Arizona Wildcats in college, was selected in the second round of the 2001 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors and later played for the Wizards for a long time. He expressed his dismay with USC’s decision in a video post on X (formerly Twitter).
“Right before the tournament, this is what we’re doing? Our best player?! ‘Mr. I Get Buckets?!’ Every night… He brings in every night. Eighteen, 19, 20 every night!,” Arenas, who is also known as “Agent Zero” during his NBA heydays, said.
Naw man we not Accepting this @USC_Hoops Call CHAD and say yall Sorry there was a mixup ! We trying to make the tournament “Put Our feelings in our pockets ” USC-Tourney Run 🚨 pic.twitter.com/2ELgF0XnAO
— Gilbert Arenas (@NoChillGilZero) March 2, 2026
“I’ve got my 4 on (in reference of Baker-Mazara’s jersey number in USC). I don’t know who he cussed out, but get over it, he’s right!,” he continued. “Whenever you’re the best man in the team. Whenever you say, you’re right. If he says ‘Damn, n***a suck. He’s right! We watchin’ the game. Give him the ball and get the f*** out of the way! That’s the offense!”
MORE: USC Announces Major Shakeup As a Star Player Is No Longer Part of the Team
Arenas reminded fans that before the five-game losing skid, USC was in the thick of the Big 10 Conference race and the 2026 NCAA Tournament hunt, with an 18-6 record. Now, the Eric Musselman-coached Trojans will have to play the rest of the conference regular season without Baker-Mazara and Rodney Rice, who were ruled out for the season in November.
“Damn!!! We’re supposed to be playin’ the tournament, man!” “Now we watch this junior varsity a** team play what they got,” Arenas said.
Baker-Mazara left the court a few minutes into the second half during USC’s 82-67 loss to Nebraska on Saturday. The Auburn transfer chased down a lay-in and fell hard to the court. After the game, USC coach Eric Musselman said the 26-year-old guard told coaches he could not return and spent the rest of the game on the baseline, sitting on a folding chair.
On Sunday, the school did not immediately provide a reason for Baker-Mazara’s departure, but a source not authorized to speak publicly told the Los Angeles Times that his exit stemmed from a buildup of issues during the season. Baker-Mazara has shot 44.4% from the field, including 38.1% from 3-point range, and 89.5% from the free-throw line this season.
The Trojans’ hopes of making the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2023 are in jeopardy, and their status is uncertain. They must win their games at Washington and UCLA this week, hope for a better seeding in the Big Ten Tournament, and win it all to earn an automatic bid in the 68-team NCAA Tournament.
