**BREAKING NEWS: Chad Baker-Mazara’s return is greeted with excitement at Jordan-Hare Stadium; Bruce Pearl vows to make him the focal point of the Auburn team in 2025–2026.

During halftime of Auburn’s spring football game, fans erupted as the video board lit up with a surprising message: “HE’S BACK.” Moments later, Chad Baker-Mazara appeared at midfield, arms raised, flashing a wide grin to a stunned but ecstatic crowd. His return to the Auburn men’s basketball team for the 2025–2026 season is now official—and according to head coach Bruce Pearl, it’s just the beginning of a massive new chapter for the Tigers.

“Chad’s coming back to lead,” Pearl said in a post-announcement press conference. “We’re going to build around him. He’s going to be the centerpiece of everything we do next season.”

Baker-Mazara’s return comes after months of speculation about his future. The senior forward from the Dominican Republic had been weighing professional options, with agents and international teams expressing serious interest. But in a decision that speaks to his trust in Pearl and belief in Auburn’s program, the 6-foot-7 wing has decided to run it back on the Plains.

“Coach Pearl believed in me from day one,” Baker-Mazara said. “We’ve got unfinished business. I want to bring a championship to Auburn. I want to be remembered here.”

Baker-Mazara’s electrifying play last season made him a fan favorite. He averaged 12.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, but his impact went beyond the box score. He often took on the toughest defensive assignments, guarded multiple positions, and provided emotional leadership on and off the floor.

Now, with his return, Auburn has a legitimate SEC Player of the Year candidate and a proven alpha to anchor what could be one of the most dynamic rosters in the country.

Pearl didn’t hold back when discussing Baker-Mazara’s importance to the program.

“There are players who lead with their voices and others who lead by example. Chad does both,” Pearl said. “He challenges his teammates. He’s not afraid of the big moments. He thrives under pressure.”

One key area where Baker-Mazara’s leadership will be invaluable is in guiding a talented, yet youthful, Auburn roster. With five-star freshman shooting guard Ty Robinson entering the fold, plus key returns from Tre Donaldson, Aden Holloway, and Johni Broome (if he withdraws from the NBA Draft), Pearl sees Baker-Mazara as the glue.

“This is Chad’s team,” Pearl reiterated. “I want him taking 15-18 shots a game. I want him on the court 35 minutes a night. We’re going to play through him.”

Baker-Mazara had a choice that many players in his position don’t take lightly: declare for the NBA Draft or return to school. According to sources close to the program, the feedback from scouts was positive but suggested another year of development—particularly in perimeter shooting and strength conditioning—could boost him into the first-round conversation.

“He’s right there,” one NBA scout said. “You’re talking about a 6’7″ wing with length, intensity, and versatility. If he improves his three-point percentage and keeps defending like he does, he’ll be a pro.”

Last season, Baker-Mazara shot 34.2% from beyond the arc. In March, he hired a personal shooting coach to refine his mechanics. In recent workouts, he’s been drilling 500 shots per day and focusing on off-the-dribble pull-ups and catch-and-shoot corner threes.

“I know what I need to do,” Baker-Mazara said. “This year, I’m coming back better. Stronger. Sharper.”

Auburn fans, known for their loyalty and passion, were quick to take to social media in celebration.

“We’re going back to the tournament with vengeance,” one user wrote. “Chad Baker-Mazara is our heart. He IS Auburn basketball.”

Another fan on X (formerly Twitter) posted a video of the crowd’s reaction inside Jordan-Hare, captioned: “Goosebumps. This feels like a Final Four kind of year already.”

Pearl echoed that sentiment, noting how much the community means to Baker-Mazara and how deeply embedded he’s become in Auburn culture.

“Chad didn’t just come here to play basketball. He embraced Auburn. He eats here, lives here, goes to class here. He’s one of us.”

With Baker-Mazara back in the fold, Auburn instantly becomes a top-tier SEC contender. They’ll return key pieces and add elite talent, including incoming freshman phenom Robinson and transfer forward Marcus Harmon from Creighton.

Pearl envisions a team that pushes the pace, defends like madmen, and lets Baker-Mazara operate as a point-forward hybrid—a role that suits his skillset perfectly.

“We’ll let Chad initiate offense, attack mismatches, and create for others,” Pearl said. “He has the IQ and the drive. It’s his moment.”

The coaching staff has already begun installing new offensive sets during summer workouts tailored to maximize Baker-Mazara’s efficiency from midrange and wing iso situations. The plan is to space the floor with shooters and allow him to either drive or dish.

Baker-Mazara’s return also boosts team morale in a way numbers can’t quantify. He is beloved by teammates, who have described him as the “big brother” of the group. Following his announcement, several players posted celebratory messages.

Tre Donaldson wrote on Instagram: “Year 5 with my dog. Let’s cook, Chad.”

Aden Holloway added: “We got the king back. Let’s go get it.”

The Tigers are expected to hold a team retreat this summer in the Florida Panhandle, and Baker-Mazara is organizing the event alongside Pearl to help unify the group.

“This is more than basketball,” Baker-Mazara said. “It’s about legacy, about brotherhood, about showing up for each other.”

Bruce Pearl knows the pressure is mounting. After last year’s second-round NCAA Tournament exit and the early departure of several key players, critics wondered whether Auburn would remain among the SEC’s elite.

Now, with Baker-Mazara leading the charge, Pearl is as confident as ever.

“This is the team I’ve been waiting to coach,” Pearl said. “We’ve got leadership, talent, depth, and hunger. We’ve got something to prove.”

He also hinted that Auburn’s non-conference schedule will include marquee matchups, with a potential game at Madison Square Garden in the works and a December showdown with Arizona on the horizon.

“We’re not ducking anybody,” Pearl said. “We want the smoke.”

While much of the college basketball world focuses on one-and-done freshmen and blue-blood storylines, Auburn is leaning into continuity, grit, and loyalty. Chad Baker-Mazara’s return symbolizes more than just a player coming back—it’s a statement about what Auburn basketball is becoming.

It’s about belief. About identity. About a fiery coach and a fearless leader joining forces for one last ride.