Published: September 16, 2026

Ex-Duquesne hoops player sues Southern Cal, coach

WILLIAM LIANG/ASSOCIATED PRESS
FILE - Southern California forward Chad Baker-Mazara walks on the court during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Nebraska, Feb. 28, 2026, in Los Angeles.
KAYLA WOLF/ASSOCIATED PRESS
FILE - Southern California head coach Eric Musselman looks on during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin, Jan. 25, 2026, in Madison, Wis.

Former Southern California basketball player Chad Baker-Mazara is suing the university and coach Eric Musselman after his abrupt dismissal from the team in March.

The lawsuit filed Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court alleges Musselman kicked Baker-Mazara, a former Duquesne basketball player, off the team after the Trojans were eliminated from NCAA tournament contention to avoid paying the remainder of his NIL contract.

It also alleges Musselman directed racially charged remarks at Baker-Mazara following a Feb. 28 loss to 12th-ranked Nebraska. The Trojans were in the midst of losing eight straight games to end the season.

Baker-Mazara alleges breach of contract, conversion and intentional interference with prospective economic advantage in the lawsuit, which doesn’t state a specific dollar amount he is seeking.

“The decision to remove the student-athlete from the men’s basketball roster was based on a number of considerations, none having to do with race,” USC said in a statement. “We look forward to defeating this action in court.”

Baker-Mazara claims the Trojans terminated his NIL agreements with the program the day after he was removed from the roster on March 1, stating he had violated a “morals clause.” The lawsuit alleges USC has not paid the remainder of the promised NIL earnings.

“I gave everything I had to USC. I played through injuries, showed up for my teammates every day, and honored my commitments,” Baker-Mazara said Tuesday in a statement from his publicist. “Filing this lawsuit was not an easy decision, but I believe it is important to stand up for what you were promised and what you are owed.”

Baker-Mazara averaged 18.5 points for USC. He was MVP of the Maui Invitational, won by the Trojans last November. USC was Baker-Mazara’s fifth school.

He began at Duquesne before transferring to San Diego State for his second season. He went from there to Northwest Florida State College for one season and transferred to Auburn for two seasons, where he helped the Tigers reach the Final Four in 2025.

— Associated Press