Chad Baker-Mazara described his transfer to USC as a “dream turned into reality.” On Monday, the former Auburn Tigers guard announced that he would be moving to USC for his final NCAA season, just weeks after Auburn’s defeat to Florida in the Final Four, where Florida went on to win the national title.
Baker-Mazara’s announcement sparked a lot of reactions on social media, marking his fifth team change in as many seasons. After playing at Duquesne, San Diego State, and Northwest Florida State, Baker-Mazara has decided to return to California following a year at Auburn under coach Bruce Pearl.
On Instagram, Auburn’s standout big man Johni Broome shared his support for Baker-Mazara’s decision. In response to Baker-Mazara’s post, Broome commented, “Yaaa CB,” showing his approval. Broome and Baker-Mazara played key roles for Auburn’s 2024-25 team, which narrowly missed the program’s first national championship. The Tigers entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed and reached the Final Four for only the second time in Auburn’s history, both under Pearl’s 11-year leadership.
While Broome was named SEC Player of the Year and a consensus All-American, Baker-Mazara’s 6-foot-7 frame and versatile defense made him a crucial part of the Tigers’ lineup. He averaged 12 points per game, shot 38% from beyond the arc, and contributed by guarding multiple positions.
These skills should serve Baker-Mazara well as he finishes his college career at USC. The Trojans, under second-year head coach Eric Musselman, will look to return to the NCAA Tournament in 2025-26, with Baker-Mazara’s experience expected to play a key role in their efforts.
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