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Chad Baker-Mazara's decision to transfer away from Auburn after finally appearing to find his footing and reaching the Final Four raised a few eyebrows. The way his lone season at USC ended was even more puzzling.
Now, a lawsuit filed by Baker-Mazara hints at why his time with the Trojans came to such an abrupt ending.
The 26-year-old filed a lawsuit against USC coach Eric Musselman on Monday, according to the California Post's Edward Lewis, alleging Musselman unleashed a "racially-charged" rant after a game in February. Baker-Mazara, USC's leading scorer at the time, was dismissed from the program the following day.
Here's what you need to know about Baker-Mazara's lawsuit against Musselman.
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Eric Musselman lawsuit, explained
Baker-Mazara sued Musselman in Los Angeles on Monday, claiming he was dismissed from the program without explanation after being subject to a "racially-charged" rant from the coach.
The lawsuit claims Musselman shouted, "You shut the f—k up! You are one of the worst teammates anyone can ever have!" at Baker-Mazara in the locker room after a Feb. 28 loss to Nebraska. When the senior asked if he should leave, he claims Musselman responded, “Yes, leave! Go back to the f—king Dominican Republic! Nobody wants you here! F—k you!”
Baker-Mazara was dismissed from the program the following day.
Additionally, Baker-Mazara claims USC intentionally skipped an NIL payment and then attempted to terminate the agreement, citing a "morals clause."
"Coach Musselman’s outburst was a direct attack on Baker-Mazara’s national origin and Dominican heritage, made from a position of authority and power by the Head Coach of the team, in front of all of Baker-Mazara’s teammates," the lawsuit states. "The tirade was unprovoked, vicious, and discriminatory."
Baker-Mazara is officially suing for "breach of contract, conversion and intentional interference with prospective economic advantage," the California Post reports, with the 26-year-old claiming his NBA Draft stock was impacted by his dismissal. Baker-Mazara went undrafted and is currently on the roster of a team in Puerto Rico's top basketball league.
Musselman was hired by USC in 2024 after taking Arkansas to the Elite Eight twice in five seasons. The Trojans missed the NCAA Tournament in each of Musselman's first two seasons.
Who is Chad Baker-Mazara?
Baker-Mazara spent his six-year college career with five different schools, including a stop at the junior college level after starting out with Duquesne and San Diego State.
One of college basketball's oldest players last season, Baker-Mazara emerged as a lightning rod at Auburn. He was ejected from the Tigers' first-round NCAA Tournament loss to Yale in 2024 and earned an ejection against Alabama in 2025, but was a key cog in Auburn's run to the Final Four under Bruce Pearl.
Baker-Mazara was averaging 18.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game on an injury-riddled USC team before his late-season dismissal earlier this year.
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