Former NBA All-Star slams USC for dropping 'best player', five-star son could be next to leave
· Yahoo Sports
Former NBA All-Star slams USC for dropping 'best player', five-star son could be next to leave originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas blasted USC on Sunday after the program announced leading scorer Chad Baker-Mazara was no longer with the team.
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The Trojans did not provide details surrounding Baker-Mazara’s departure, but the timing is suspicious. With two regular-season games remaining this isn't ideal for anyone involved. The move had Arenas post an expletive-filled video on social media defending the 6-foot-7 wing.
“Right before a tournament, this is what we doing?” Arenas said while wearing Baker-Mazara’s No. 4 jersey. “Our best player. ‘Mr. I Get Buckets.’ Every night. Guaranteed 18, 20 every night. I don’t know who he cussed out, but get over it. When you the best player on the team, whatever you say, you right.”
Baker-Mazara, who transfers from Auburn, averaged a team-best 18.5 points along with 4.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 26 games. He most recently scored 14 points in Saturday’s 82-67 loss to Nebraska but did not return after a hard foul early in the second half. According to ESPN, he told coach Eric Musselman he couldn’t continue and later sat away from the bench.
Musselman had previously questioned Baker-Mazara’s discipline after he fouled out in 13 minutes against Northwestern in January.
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Arenas’ passion for USC is personal. His son, freshman five-star guard Alijah Arenas, averages 13.9 points for the Trojans. Could he be the next player to leave the program? Time will tell how this plays out in Los Angeles.
The Trojans (18-11, 7-11 Big Ten) have dropped five straight and are viewed as an NCAA Tournament bubble team entering matchups with Washington and rival UCLA before the Big Ten Tournament.
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