Auburn Transfer Chad Baker-Mazara Commits to USC After Strong Senior Season

In a college basketball landscape increasingly defined by the transfer portal, few moves have the potential to reshape a roster quite like this one. Chad Baker-Mazara, fresh off a strong senior campaign at Auburn, has committed to the USC Trojans for the 2025–26 season. For a program undergoing changes under new leadership and adjusting to life in the Big Ten Conference, his arrival could not come at a more pivotal moment.

Baker-Mazara’s story is one of resilience, evolution, and relentless growth. A multi-stop college career filled with highlights, learning experiences, and high-pressure moments has made him one of the most seasoned and versatile players in the nation. Now, USC hopes that his veteran presence and on-court ability can anchor a roster loaded with young talent and transfer portal acquisitions.

Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Chad Baker-Mazara’s love for basketball took root early. In a nation better known for producing baseball talent, Baker-Mazara chose a different path, finding joy and promise in a basketball rather than a glove. His family recognized his potential, and as a teenager, he relocated to the United States to pursue greater opportunities in basketball.

Landing in New Jersey, he attended Colonia High School where he quickly made a name for himself. By the time he was a senior, he was stuffing the stat sheet and drawing the attention of scouts across the country: nearly 19 points per game, close to 9 rebounds, and a defensive tenacity that made him a headache for opponents on both ends of the floor.

A postgraduate year at SPIRE Academy in Ohio sharpened his instincts further. SPIRE is known for producing NBA-caliber athletes, and Baker-Mazara’s time there helped mold his game into one that would translate to the next level.

Baker-Mazara’s college journey hasn’t followed a traditional linear trajectory — and that’s part of what makes him so intriguing. His first stop was at Duquesne in the Atlantic 10 Conference. As a freshman in 2020–21, he averaged 9.5 points and showed early signs of promise. But after just one season, he entered the portal, seeking a new environment.

In 2021, he landed at San Diego State, one of the premier mid-majors in the nation. While his scoring numbers dipped slightly to 6.4 points per game, he embraced a role off the bench that emphasized defensive intensity and efficient three-point shooting. His efforts didn’t go unnoticed: he earned the Mountain West Sixth Man of the Year award.

Following a brief stint in the junior college ranks at Northwest Florida State College — where he torched opposing defenses for 15.2 points per game and shot a blistering 46.9% from three — he returned to high-major basketball in 2023 by joining Auburn and head coach Bruce Pearl.

At Auburn, Baker-Mazara finally got the chance to be a consistent starter and primary contributor in a Power Five program. During the 2024–25 season, he started 34 of 38 games, averaging 12.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 steals. He was the kind of player who could do a little bit of everything — a glue guy with enough talent to take over games when needed.

His efficiency and effort earned him Third-Team All-SEC honors, and he was instrumental in Auburn’s deep NCAA Tournament run that culminated in a Final Four appearance. Against elite competition, he routinely made big plays, especially on the defensive end where his length, anticipation, and communication helped Auburn become one of the top defensive teams in the country.

“Chad was the heartbeat of our team,” Bruce Pearl said in a postgame interview following their Elite Eight win. “He brought maturity, leadership, and accountability every day. USC is getting a winner.”

Baker-Mazara’s decision to transfer to USC might seem surprising at first glance. Why leave a program where he just had a career year and helped lead a Final Four run? But several key factors made the Trojans an ideal fit.

For one, USC has undergone major changes this offseason. Andy Enfield left for SMU, and the Trojans hired Eric Musselman, the former Arkansas coach known for his success with transfers and fast program turnarounds. Musselman thrives with experienced players who can defend multiple positions, shoot the ball, and lead younger teammates. Baker-Mazara checks every box.

Secondly, USC’s move to the Big Ten means it will now face more physically imposing teams with NBA-level talent on a nightly basis. Veteran depth and defensive identity will be essential. With Baker-Mazara, the Trojans now add a senior who’s already been battle-tested in both the SEC and Mountain West — not to mention his junior college and Atlantic 10 experience.

“This move is all about legacy,” Baker-Mazara said during his announcement. “I want to help USC win now. I want to be a leader for the younger guys. And I want to end my college career playing in front of fans who are as hungry as I am.”