After assisting Auburn in making it to the Final Four, Chad Baker-Mazara transfers to USC.
In an era where the college basketball transfer portal spins faster than ever, few moves capture national attention like that of Chad Baker-Mazara. Just weeks after helping Auburn reach the Final Four for only the second time in program history, the versatile forward announced his decision to transfer to USC, sending shockwaves through the SEC and adding a new layer of intrigue to the Trojans’ first season in the Big Ten.
This move comes at a time when player mobility has never been higher, but Baker-Mazara’s transfer still feels seismic. Not only was he a critical piece in Auburn’s historic March Madness run, but his abrupt departure — especially after playing the best basketball of his career on college basketball’s biggest stage — leaves the Tigers with a noticeable hole in their lineup while simultaneously giving the Trojans an immediate impact player.
Baker-Mazara arrived in Auburn as something of a journeyman. Originally from the Dominican Republic, he began his college career at Duquesne, then transferred to San Diego State, and later to Northwest Florida State College before finding a home with Bruce Pearl’s Auburn Tigers for the 2024–25 season.
Many assumed Baker-Mazara would be a solid rotation player for Auburn, perhaps a 3-and-D option with athletic upside. Few foresaw him emerging as a key contributor, let alone the emotional sparkplug that helped propel Auburn to a 27-9 season and a dramatic Final Four berth. He averaged 11.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 44.8% from the field and a career-best 38.2% from beyond the arc.
His performances in the NCAA Tournament turned heads, particularly his 21-point explosion in the Sweet 16 win over Illinois and his defensive tenacity against elite wings throughout March. Baker-Mazara’s length, energy, and moxie made him a fan favorite on the Plains.
Bruce Pearl was effusive in his praise after Auburn’s Final Four exit: “Chad brought us something we didn’t have last year — swagger. He made the big plays, but he also did the little things: tipped balls, tough rebounds, vocal leadership. He believed we could win it all.”
Which is why his transfer to USC — a program undergoing its own transition — came as such a surprise.
At first glance, Baker-Mazara’s decision to transfer for what is expected to be his final collegiate season seems curious. Auburn is a proven SEC powerhouse with passionate fans and national exposure. Meanwhile, USC is entering the uncharted waters of Big Ten basketball, moving cross-country and bracing for a new era without longtime head coach Andy Enfield, who left for SMU in early April.
For one, new USC head coach Eric Musselman — formerly of Arkansas — was a major reason for Baker-Mazara’s flip. Musselman aggressively pursued the 6-foot-7 wing in the portal, seeing him as a prototype for his up-tempo, high-pressure defensive schemes. Sources close to the situation said Musselman made it clear during recruitment that Baker-Mazara would be a focal point of the offense and a veteran leader on a roster that will include multiple underclassmen and transfers.
“Coach Muss just gets it,” Baker-Mazara said in a statement posted on his Instagram. “He’s coached in the NBA, he’s won in college, and he knows how to let guys be themselves. I feel like I can grow even more under him — and help USC make history in the Big Ten.”
Beyond the basketball fit, there’s also the allure of Los Angeles. For a Dominican-born player who has played in Pittsburgh, San Diego, Florida, and Alabama, the chance to live and play in a city like L.A. — with its media exposure, NIL opportunities, and professional connections — was reportedly a major draw.
For Auburn, the loss of Baker-Mazara is both strategic and symbolic. The Tigers had hoped to build on their Final Four momentum by returning several key pieces and adding talent through the portal. Baker-Mazara was expected to be a senior cornerstone, someone who could anchor the wing and provide continuity to a team with national title aspirations.
Instead, Bruce Pearl and his staff are now forced to recalibrate. The Tigers still boast a talented roster — including rising stars like Aden Holloway and Johni Broome — but Baker-Mazara’s length, shot-making, and intensity will be hard to replace. His departure also creates a leadership vacuum that will need filling.
For USC, on the other hand, Baker-Mazara represents a stabilizing force during a time of flux. With Bronny James declaring for the NBA Draft, Isaiah Collier exploring pro options, and the Trojans undergoing a coaching change, there are more questions than answers around the program. Adding a battle-tested, high-IQ wing with March experience could provide the glue that holds things together.
Musselman sees Baker-Mazara as a linchpin.
“We’re going to build around guys who compete and lead,” Musselman said. “Chad’s played in a Final Four, he’s guarded the best players in the country, and he knows how to win. That’s invaluable as we enter this new chapter in the Big Ten.”
USC’s 2025–26 season is already one of the most anticipated in recent memory. The Trojans, along with UCLA, Washington, and Oregon, are joining the Big Ten in what is widely considered one of the boldest moves in college athletics history. The conference transition brings new opponents, new travel demands, and a different style of play.
Big Ten basketball is known for its physicality, rebounding emphasis, and rugged half-court play — a stark contrast from the often free-flowing, guard-heavy styles of the Pac-12. Baker-Mazara, with his SEC experience and defensive mindset, is uniquely positioned to thrive in that environment.
During Auburn’s run through the gauntlet of the SEC — which featured elite athletes and bruising games — Baker-Mazara proved he could handle contact, switch across multiple positions, and stay locked in under pressure. His ability to defend everything from power forwards to point guards makes him an ideal fit for the grind-it-out matchups that define Big Ten basketball.
“I’ve played against the best of the best,” Baker-Mazara said. “It’s not just about skill — it’s about toughness, and I’m ready to bring that to USC.”
Beyond team impact, Baker-Mazara’s transfer to USC also aligns with his personal goals. After a strong season at Auburn, he likely sits on the NBA Draft radar — but he’s not yet a surefire prospect. With one more season of eligibility remaining, he sees USC as a launchpad toward the professional level.
Under Musselman, who has produced multiple NBA players including Moses Moody and Jordan Walsh, Baker-Mazara is betting that a prominent role on a national stage can elevate his draft stock. At USC, he’ll have the green light to showcase his improved three-point shooting, slashing ability, and perimeter defense against a loaded Big Ten slate.
If he can string together consistent performances — especially in marquee games against the likes of Michigan State, Purdue, and Indiana — he’ll solidify his reputation as a pro-ready wing.
“It’s about taking the next step,” Baker-Mazara said. “USC gives me a platform to lead, to grow, and to compete against the best. That’s what I want.”
With Baker-Mazara gone, all eyes turn to how Bruce Pearl fills the void. Auburn has already been active in the transfer portal and may continue targeting wings who can defend multiple positions. Pearl’s staff is known for developing talent quickly, but losing a player like Baker-Mazara so late in the cycle complicates things.
Still, the Tigers are not expected to fade quietly. With one of the nation’s best player development systems, a passionate fan base, and the appeal of recent success, Auburn remains a portal destination.
“We’ll be fine,” Pearl said in a recent interview. “This program is bigger than one player, and we’ve got young guys ready to step up. But make no mistake — Chad meant a lot to us.”
In the shifting sands of college basketball, the story of Chad Baker-Mazara is both familiar and extraordinary. He’s a modern student-athlete: resilient, mobile, and ambitious. From the Dominican Republic to a Final Four and now to the bright lights of L.A., his journey is emblematic of a sport where change is constant — but where talent and drive still shine through.
