Why did Chad Baker-Mazara leave USC basketball? What to know of Troja… — and more

Chad Baker-Mazara's collegiate career appears to have come to an unceremonious end on Sunday, March 1.

Southern California announced that the sixth-year and graduate transfer is no longer with the program, following his decision to not re-enter Saturday's 82-67 loss against Nebraska.

REQUIRED READING: Ranking top 10 players in college basketball for conference tournaments

Baker-Mazara's exit from the team comes at an interesting time for the Trojans. The team had been on the first four out in USA TODAY Sports' latest bracketology, but have lost five games in a row.

Here's what you need to know about why Baker-Mazara left USC:

Why did Chad Baker-Mazara leave USC?

In his first year with USC ―and his sixth collegiate season ―Baker-Mazara led the Trojans with 18.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. All of his averages were career highs, as he started 22 of 26 games he appeared in for USC.

However, against Nebraska after scoring 14-first half points, Baker-Mazara exited the game three minutes into the second half after falling hard on the baseline while trying to chase down Nebraska's Pryce Sandfort. He went to the locker room and never re-entered the game.

"He said he couldn’t go," head coach Eric Musselman told reporters after the game.

According to a report from the Los Angeles Times' Ryan Kartje, "it wasn’t any one incident, but an accumulation of issues that led to Baker-Mazara’s departure."

Does Chad Baker-Mazara have any eligibility left?

After playing six collegiate seasons, Baker-Mazara is out of eligibility, effectively ending his college career.

How old is Chad Baker-Mazara?

Baker-Mazara was born on Jan. 27, 2000. That made him 26 years old during the 2025-26 college basketball season.

Chad Baker-Mazara stats

Here's a look at Baker-Mazara's stats in his six collegiate basketball seasons:

• 2020-21 (Duquesne): 9.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.9 blocks per game on 43.8% shooting, 41.7% 3-point shooting in 24.4 minutes per game (15 games, 13 starts)
• 2021-22 (San Diego State): 6.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.5 blocks per game on 42% shooting, 39.3% 3-point shooting in 12.8 minutes per game (31 games, 0 starts)
• 2022-23 (Northwest Florida State): Did not play
• 2023-24 (Auburn): 10 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.5 blocks per game on 45.2% shooting, 41.8% 3-point shooting in 21.7 minutes per game (35 games, 9 starts)
• 2024-25 (Auburn): 12.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks per game on 44.8% shooting, 38.1% 3-point shooting in 25.6 minutes per game (38 games, 34 starts)
• 2025-26 (USC): 18.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.3 blocks per game on 44.4% shooting, 38.1% 3-point shooting in 29.6 minutes per game (26 games, 22 starts)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why did Chad Baker-Mazara depart USC basketball?

The New York Giants have already undergone a shift in their management group this offseason with the hiring of John Harbaugh as head coach and long-time NFL home office admin Dawn Aponte as their new senior vice president of football operations and strategy.

The next moves, however, could be more significant.

John Mara, whose family owns 45 percent of the Giants, has been undergoing treatments for cancer. He has been present throughout, even playing a large role in the courting of Harbaugh, but how long he can actively remain in his job is concerning.

Mara's partner, Steve Tisch, the team's Chairman of the Board, whose family also owns a 45 percent stake in the club, has his own issues. Tisch's name has appeared in the files released by the Department of Justice in the Jeffrey Epstein affair, and discipline from the league could be forthcoming.

There is a scenario where the Giants have a new CEO and a new Chairman this year. It's a difficult subject to broach, but the powers that remain in the building have to be girding themselves for what could be coming.

At the Super Bowl, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell promised to "look at all the facts" in Tisch's case, basically kicking the can down the road. That road is coming to an end soon, as the NFL's new league year begins next week and the owners are scheduled to convene at their annual meeting at the end of the month in Phoenix.

There will be no avoiding the issue. Tisch has violated sections of the Personal Conduct Act, and it has to, at the very least, be a topic of conversation.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk recently spoke to a league official who told him that Tisch has to be removed. That may not be as easy to do as one thinks. In fact, some believe the league won't do very much at all unless directed by the Department of Justice.

The league could be waiting for it to all blow over. Alternatively, the NFL could be hoping that the Tisch family will nudge Steve out of the spotlight as the representative of the folks who own the 45-percent share of the Giants.

Regardless, it’s not going away. As one high-level employee with another team told PFT on Friday, “Steve has to go.”

Whatever the outcome, the NFL must investigate Tisch. Until it does, it’s impossible for any league investigation of a player or any other non-owner to have a shred of credibility.

The Giants' ownership structure used to be cut and dry -- 50 percent Mara, 50 percent Tisch. Last summer, they decided to take on a third investor, Juila Koch, whose family bought a 10 percent equity stake in the club.

The brand hasn't taken much of a hit, if at all, which is another reason for inaction. The NFL is more popular than ever, and the Giants are one of its most valuable properties. It's unlikely the Tisch family will sell their stake, which is valued anywhere between $4 and $5 billion.

Knowing the history of this franchise, there probably won't be any selling of any stakes from either side.

As Florio suggests, the organization could coax the 76-year-old Steve Tisch into resigning his titles to another family member (his brother Jonathan or sister, Laurie, who are both board members) and steer clear of the team indefinitely. He'd still be an owner, but he'll be out of sight. That's a face-saving move for all.

As for the Mara end, if John has to step down, the likely candidates to take his spot are his younger brother, Chris, or his sister, Susan McDonnell, both of whom currently serve on the board.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Could New York Giants see some changes to their ownership group in 2026?

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lewis Hamilton are among the sports stars whose schedules are in doubt because of the spreading war in the Middle East.

Cancelations and travel shutdowns are already affecting events since the United States and Israel launched a wave of strikes on Iran on Saturday. Organizers of Formula 1 and major soccer games face deciding within weeks whether they can go ahead as scheduled.

Middle Eastern nations have become crucial to the world sports landscape over the last decade as event hosts, financial backers and employers for some of the world's top athletes.

Key upcoming events

The clock is ticking for a decision on whether to cancel or move the “Finalissima” soccer game on March 27 between Spain and Argentina, the champions of Europe and South America. That match would offer Messi a chance to win yet another trophy in a glittering career.

Qatar suspended all soccer games until further notice Sunday. Argentina was also scheduled to play Qatar in a friendly March 31.

“UEFA is monitoring and carefully assessing all developments of the situation in cooperation with (South American soccer body) CONMEBOL and the (local organizing committee),” European soccer body UEFA told The Associated Press on Monday.

Ronaldo's soccer team, Saudi club Al Nassr, has already been affected by a wave of cancelations of Asian Champions League games. His team was scheduled to play Wednesday in Dubai.

Formula 1 has races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia next month. F1 and its teams typically start to fly in staff and freight weeks in advance, limiting the time to make a decision on whether to go ahead. Governing body FIA says its priority is “safety and wellbeing.”

The men's and women's tennis tours and golf's European tour have just finished their Middle East tournament swings and aren't due back for months.

Iran is set to play in US at the World Cup

Iran is due to send its men's soccer team to the U.S. for the World Cup in just over three months, with a first game June 16 against New Zealand in Inglewood, California.

There's doubt over whether Iran can or will take part in the tournament. Iranian soccer federation president Mehdi Taj has said “we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope.”

The U.S. government has promised exemptions from its travel bans for athletes and coaches at events like the World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Airspace closures leave athletes stranded

Even if some events go ahead, a major concern for athletes and teams will be how they can travel in and out of the region safely.

Former U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev is among a group of tennis players waiting in Dubai for a chance to fly out after a tournament there concluded last week. If they can't travel soon, it will affect the BNP Paribas Open starting Wednesday in Indian Wells, California.

Cricket and basketball players are facing challenges, too, along with thousands of foreign tourists, while F1 personnel are seeking alternative travel to avoid the region on their way to this week's Australian Grand Prix.

A key region for world sports

The Middle East's influence on world sports has surged in recent years as countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar have hosted major events and become crucial financial backers.

Besides soccer and auto racing, Qatar has a World Endurance Championship sportscar race this month, a MotoGP motorcycle race, a gymnastics World Cup next month and hosts the first Diamond League track meet of the year in May. Qatar also owns Champions League-winning soccer team Paris Saint-Germain.

Saudi Arabia, which will host the 2034 World Cup in men's soccer, has funded the LIV Golf breakaway league and become a major player in world boxing.

___

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports