Chad Baker-Mazara, Rodney Rice injury updates: Eric Musselman reveals timeline for returns

Eric Musselman provided a few USC basketball injury updates on transfers Chad Baker-Mazara and Rodney Rice Monday. Baker-Mazara was dealing with a neck injury, but should be fine relatively soon.

As far as Rice is concerned, he’ll be out a little longer with a shoulder injury. Baker-Mazara transferred in from Auburn while Rice came from Maryland.

Both have had numerous stops throughout their college basketball careers. But under Musselman this year, as long as they’re healthy, USC should have quite the roster in 2025-26.

“Well Chad was, I’m gonna call it neck stiffness,” Musselman said Monday. “He had it Friday, and then over the weekend. I mean, he’s day to day. Rodney is out for, at least probably a month. Just a shoulder injury. It’s probably been, say, a week.”

In 38 games for Auburn last year, Baker-Mazara averaged 12.3 points per game, three rebounds, 2.7 assists, shot 44.8% from the floor and 38.1% from three-point range. In 36 games for Maryland last year, Rice averaged 13.8 points per game, 2.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, shot 43.4% from the floor and 37.4% from three-point range.

Baker-Mazara made headlines last week when he posted on his Instagram story in the wake of Bruce Pearl’s retirement from Auburn. He apparently linked his transfer to USC to Pearl’s decision.

“Oh now ya understand,” Baker-Mazara said on his Instagram story. He added two emojis at the end, the laughing face and the 100 one as well.

Baker-Mazara was a fan favorite during his time on the Plains. A controversial figure at times, Baker-Mazara still produced in big ways for the Tigers.

However, when another season of eligibility came to fruition, Baker-Mazara decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Auburn attempted to keep him but other big-time programs came after CBM, mainly the Kentucky Wildcats and USC. Of course, he wound up selecting the Trojans. Based on what Baker-Mazara put out on Instagram, Pearl retiring played a role in his leaving.

The transition for Auburn is not expected to be too bumpy. Pearl hands the baton over to his son, Steven Pearl. An internal hire for the program as the new head coach received a five-year deal.

Baker-Mazara and Rice, whenever the latter returns, should be a lethal duo for the Trojans. USC went 17-18 last season though and played in the CBC Tournament at the end of the year. It was Musselman’s first year at the helm following an overall successful tenure at Arkansas.

But expectations rose for USC as soon as Musselman took over so it’s safe to say last year was disappointing. A revamped roster this winter should help them compete in the Big Ten.