Former USC guard Chad Baker-Mazara filed a lawsuit alleging head coach Eric Musselman directed a racist tirade at him after a February loss.

The 16-page complaint, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Monday, Sept. 14, alleges Musselman launched the attack in the locker room after USC's 82-67 home loss to Nebraska on Feb. 28, the California Post first reported. Baker-Mazara, 26, was dismissed from the team the following day.

Baker-Mazara had started the Nebraska game and scored 14 points in the first half before aggravating a knee injury and sitting out the second half, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. The loss effectively ended USC's hopes of an at-large NCAA Tournament bid.

The complaint alleges that when Baker-Mazara tried to address teammates in the locker room, Musselman erupted. The coach allegedly told him he was "one of the worst teammates anyone can ever have," The Athletic reported. When Baker-Mazara responded that he didn't understand the animosity, Musselman allegedly screamed: "Yes, leave! Go back to the f—ing Dominican Republic! Nobody wants you here!! F— you!"

The complaint states those words are "generally understood by persons of color in the United States originating from the Dominican Republic … to be racist and discriminatory, akin to telling an African-American to go back to Africa."

Baker-Mazara is suing for breach of contract, conversion and intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, among other claims. He is seeking damages, including punitive damages and attorney's fees. The complaint does not specify a dollar amount.

At the center of the financial dispute: unpaid NIL money. The lawsuit alleges USC's NIL collective, the House of Victory Foundation, missed payments owed to Baker-Mazara. A source told the Union-Tribune the disputed amount is roughly one-third of a reported $3 million deal. After his dismissal, USC moved to terminate Baker-Mazara's NIL agreements, citing a "morals clause." The lawsuit calls that justification "entirely pretextual."

The complaint also alleges USC never conducted an investigation before dismissing Baker-Mazara, never interviewed him or his teammates, and never gave him a reason for the dismissal.

Baker-Mazara said in a statement Sept. 14: "I gave everything I had to USC. I played through injuries, showed up for my teammates every day, and honored my commitments."

USC denied race played any role. A university spokesperson said in a statement Sept. 14 that the decision to remove Baker-Mazara was based on multiple considerations unrelated to race. The university said it looks forward to defeating the lawsuit in court. Musselman had not responded to media requests for comment as of Monday night, The Athletic reported.

Baker-Mazara averaged 18.5 points per game for USC in 2025-26, shooting 38.1% from three-point range as the Trojans' leading scorer. USC finished 18-14 overall and 7-13 in the Big Ten, missing the NCAA Tournament again under Musselman.

The lawsuit alleges Baker-Mazara's dismissal damaged his NBA draft stock. His invitation to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament was rescinded, according to the complaint. He was not invited to the NBA Draft Combine and went undrafted in June despite projections as a second-round pick. He had attended the 2025 combine after helping Auburn reach the Final Four.

Baker-Mazara, represented by San Diego law firm Yale & Baumgarten, was drafted No. 1 overall in the Puerto Rican professional league by the Gigantes de Carolina. The case is pending in Los Angeles County Superior Court.