One of the biggest surprises of the spring college basketball transfer portal period has occurred today, as a player instrumental in the Auburn Tigers’ Final Four run has decided to enter his name into the portal.
Chad Baker-Mazara To Enter the Transfer Portal
After beginning his career in 2020 with the Duquesne Dukes and including a stop with the San Diego State Aztecs, Auburn guard Chad Baker-Mazara is once again looking for a new home ahead of the final season of his career.
BREAKING: Auburn’s Chad Baker-Mazara plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, he announced. https://t.co/AHe7k2SZUG pic.twitter.com/NlF25WNZD0
— On3 (@On3sports) April 17, 2025
Where could the eventual six-year senior guard land? Below, I’ll list five potential spots for the ultra-talented Baker-Mazara.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
With the announcement of starting small forward Darrion Williams’ intentions of entering the portal and testing the NBA Draft process, Baker-Mazara would be a perfect replacement to a team that just missed out on a Final Four appearance.
Though far from the same player, the former Tigers guard averaged 12.3 points in just 25.6 minutes and could score more with increased opportunities. The Red Raiders already have 6’9″ forward J.T. Toppin — the 2024-25 Big 12 Player of the Year — back in the fold next season; the addition of Baker-Mazara would quiet a lot of concerns and potentially put Texas Tech squarely in the title conversation next season.
Florida Gators
Making a move like this would almost be taboo years ago, but the transfer portal nowadays never fails to surprise.
Coming off a national championship, the Gators are losing all three of their starting guards. Once again, Baker-Mazara would be a perfect addition in the starting lineup to help replace that departing production.
Florida just welcomed point guard Xaivian Lee from Princeton; if head coach Todd Golden were able to reel in Baker-Mazara as well, he’d — along with once again proving his recruiting chops — field a title contender with eyes of defending their crown.
BYU Cougars
Seemingly a player in every big-name portal entrance, the Cougars have to be taken seriously as a contender for Baker-Mazara due to the money they’re reportedly handing out.
Former Baylor Bears guard Robert Wright III is set to receive $3.5 million with BYU, making it not seem crazy for the former Auburn guard to demand multiple millions.
At 25 years old, Baker-Mazara doesn’t project as an NBA player, so getting his money while he’s still at the college level seems to be a motivation for him. With the resources the Cougars have, he’d be wise to seriously consider BYU.
Maryland Terrapins
If Baker-Mazara is looking for a featured role in his final season, Maryland would be the place to go. New head coach Buzz Williams has had to build the program back up through the transfer portal; surely he’d welcome the idea of adding a double-digit scorer to the lineup.
The Terrapins made it to the Sweet Sixteen last season, and expectations are still high for Williams and his new squad. With postseason experience, Baker-Mazara would be a major get for Maryland.
Houston Cougars
Head coach Kelvin Sampson is known to be hard on his players, which may rub the hard-headed Baker-Mazara the wrong way.
But one thing the Cougars badly needed at times last season was a prolific scorer on the wing — Baker-Mazara was exactly that for the Tigers.
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Houston guards L.J. Cryer and Milos Uzan won’t be back next season, leaving a large amount of shots to be taken. With no certain plan in place at this time, Sampson and Baker-Mazara should connect and see if they’re both interested.
The addition of the talented guard would be a major commitment and put the Cougars back on the track of being a title contender once again.
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