Auburn basketball fans were left stunned on Wednesday as senior forward Chad Baker-Mazara announced his intention to enter the transfer portal after just two seasons with the program.
Taking to social media, Baker-Mazara thanked God, his teammates, coaching staff, and the Auburn family for their “incredible support” over the past two years before dropping the bombshell that has the Auburn nation reeling.
The announcement comes on the heels of Auburn’s impressive South Regional Championship run, where Baker-Mazara played a crucial role. The 6’7″ forward, who has already journeyed through Duquesne, San Diego State, and Northwest Florida State College before landing at Auburn, now seeks yet another destination for his final year of eligibility.
Chad Baker-Mazara Transfers Once Again
Baker-Mazara’s decision marks yet another chapter in his nomadic collegiate career. After beginning at Duquesne, where he averaged 9.5 points as a freshman, he transferred to San Diego State, earning Mountain West Conference Sixth Man of the Year honors. His journey then took him to Northwest Florida State College before landing at Auburn.
First I wanna thank God for blessing me with the opportunity to do what I love but I wanna thank my teammates, coaching staff and the Auburn Family for the incredible support for this past two years! With this been said I would be entering the transfer portal. Gracias Auburn!🔟🫶🏾 pic.twitter.com/EpN3rItTdd
— Chad Baker-Mazara (@ChadBaker2700) April 17, 2025
Baker-Mazara had an impact as a player with the Tigers, averaging 10 points, 3.7 rebounds, and a little over two assists per game in 35 games played during the 2023-24 season. His highlight game was scoring 25 points against Georgia in February 2024. His scoring excited fans, possibly making him a fan favorite.
Baker-Mazara’s 2024-25 season proved even more impressive. He played in all 38 games, averaging 12.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting nearly 45% from the field and 39% from beyond the arc.
He was instrumental in Auburn’s Final Four run, often leading the team in scoring during critical matchups despite his three-point shooting dipping to around 25% in postseason play.
Auburn Fans Express Disbelief and Disappointment
Auburn fans didn’t hold back their feelings about Baker-Mazara’s decision, with reactions ranging from disbelief to outright roasting.
“Unbelievable this guy” posted one fan, summing up the sentiment of many in the Auburn community.
Others were more direct, with one fan writing, “Get ready to learn LinkedIn, bud.” The timing of the announcement left many questioning its legitimacy, with comments like “This Aprils Fools?” gaining significant traction.
Not all responses were negative. However, some supporters expressed genuine disappointment while wishing him well. “This makes me so very sad! I really hoped to see you back in an Auburn uniform. You will be great wherever you go,” wrote one fan. Others simply thanked him for his contributions to the program during his tenure.
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The Dominican-born player’s decision adds to the growing trend of player movement in college basketball’s transfer portal era. For Auburn, it creates another roster hole to fill after coming off a successful season.
As fans process this unexpected news, the question remains: Which program will become the fifth stop in Baker-Mazara’s collegiate basketball journey?
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