Earlier in the month, Auburn basketball star Chad Baker-Mazara made a surprise move by entering the transfer portal with one year of college eligibility left. Baker-Mazara was named one of the five finalists for the Julius Erving Award in the 24/25 season.
Many people assumed he would be joining a championship-contending team, as Auburn itself made the Final Four in this year’s NCAA tournament. He made his decision clear on Monday when he announced his commitment to Eric Musselman and the USC Trojans.
Chad Baker-Mazara Officially Transfers to USC
On Monday, reports emerged that Baker-Mazara is heading to the Big Ten by committing to playing for the USC Trojans next season.
BREAKING: Auburn transfer guard Chad Baker-Mazara has committed to USC, he told @On3sports.
The 6-7 senior averaged 12.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game this season. Scored 18 points on Florida in the Final Four. https://t.co/QfYaVsWmO6 pic.twitter.com/mxCkQ7ouF3
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 28, 2025
Baker-Mazara had other interest from programs like Kentucky and Florida. People expected him to stay in the SEC and join a powerhouse program, but USC has managed to secure his commitment to the shock of many.
Baker-Mazara was a star on Bruce Pearl’s Auburn team, averaging 12.3 points per game and making a difference on defense. Together with Johni Broome, he led Auburn to a No. 1 overall seed for the NCAA Tournament and to the Final Four.
In the 2024-25 season, Baker-Mazara played 38 games, posting 14 games with 15 or more points, eight games with five or more rebounds, and another eight performances with five or more assists.
He joined Auburn from Northwest Florida State College, where he averaged 15.2 points on 48.8% shooting. He also added 3.6 rebounds per game to go with 2.1 assists, 1.4 steals, and an impressive 46.9% mark from behind the arc.
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Baker-Mazara is joining a USC squad looking to return to the NCAA tournament after finishing with a losing record in the past two years. He should have a large role on the Trojans, especially after their leading scorer from last season, Desmond Claude, entered the portal on April 22.
Per 247Sports, he was listed as the No. 24 overall player available in the transfer portal prior to his USC commitment.
He has one year of eligibility left due to the NCAA’s temporary waiver, which allowed student-athletes who previously suited up for a non-NCAA school to play a fourth season at an NCAA school.
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