Chad Baker-Mazara is having a great 2025-26 men’s college basketball season with USC since transferring from Auburn in the offseason. In two games, the 6’7″ Dominican guard is averaging 19.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.5 blocks, helping Eric Musselman’s Trojans to two convincing wins over Cal Poly and Manhattan.
Baker-Mazara, however, has received more Internet exposure than his recent excellent play. His name was tied to an alleged viral altercation with the veteran coach that never happened.
What Was the Rumor on Chad Baker-Mazara All About?
A parody account on X linked to a certain Scott Hughes “reported” that Baker-Mazara was suspended indefinitely following a physical altercation with Musselman. The Dominican guard allegedly charged into the American bench tactician’s office and lunged at him. This occurred after his request for additional NIL guarantees was denied, and he was instructed to leave the premises.
BREAKING: USC star Chad Baker-Mazara has been suspended indefinitely following a physical altercation with head coach Eric Musselman. Earlier today, Baker-Mazara stormed into Musselman’s office demanding more NIL guarantees and subsequently “lunged” at him when asked to leave.
— Scott Hughes (@ScottHughesCBB) November 11, 2025
This post, which contained a fake rumor, had generated 1.6 million views since it was posted on Tuesday afternoon, placing the Auburn transfer in a bad light. Upon reading the tweet, Baker-Mazara was unfazed by the rumor, making fun of the post.
“I swear i live in people head rent free🤣🤣,” he wrote.
I swear i live in people head rent free🤣🤣 https://t.co/PdaAxZJ9rE
— Chad Baker-Mazara (@ChadBaker2700) November 11, 2025
College basketball beat reporters and insiders who had prior knowledge of the true situation came to Baker-Mazara’s rescue, with Field of 68 co-founder Jeff Goodman urging fans to unfollow the account, describing the account owner as a “clown.”
The Sporting News’ Billy Heyen confirmed that Baker-Mazara isn’t suspended and wrote on his article that the tweet is “not particularly fair to the athlete.”
The Los Angeles Times’ Ryan Kartje refuted the parody account, writing that the guard is practicing with his USC teammates in preparation for the Trojans’ next game against Illinois State on Nov. 14 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
MORE: Auburn Fans React to Chad Baker-Mazara Addressing Beef with Former School
Baker-Mazara was coming off a season-high 26 points in 23 minutes for USC, which demolished the Manhattan Jaspers 114-83. He shot 7-of-13, including 3-of-4 from the 3-point area. The guard went perfect from the free-throw line, making all nine attempts, and came up with seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
Hughes made rounds last week, apparently dropping a “Woj” bomb on former ESPN NBA insider and current St. Bonaventure general manager Adrian Wojnarowski. According to the post, Wojnarowski was “ejected” and “forcibly removed” following a “heated verbal altercation with the officiating crew” during the Bonnies’ season-opening win over Bradley on Nov. 3.
The St. Bonaventure athletic department denied the claim, saying Wojnarowski was calm and collected during the game and expressed happiness when the Bonnies beat the Braves 69-63.