Auburn star Chad Baker-Mazara plans to enter NCAA transfer portal

According to On3’s Joe Tipton, Auburn Tigers star Chad Baker-Mazara plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Baker-Mazara is fresh off a Final Four run and will instantly become one of the top available names on the open market.

The 2025-2026 season will be the fifth year of college basketball for Baker-Mazara. Duquesne was where his career got started before transferring to San Diego State. A stint at Northwest Florida State is why his eligibility is still remaining, as he was a JUCO transfer.

But getting back to the Division I level has seen Baker-Mazara really thrive. In two seasons with Auburn, he is averaging 11.2 points per game while shooting 44.9% from the field and 39.4% from three. A 6’7 frame means Baker-Mazara can defend nearly every position on the court.

Having Baker-Mazara on the court does come with a little extra something, though. One of the more vocal players in college basketball, he has been known to be at the center of controversy.

Twice has Baker-Mazara been thrown out of games due to Flagrant 2 fouls called against him. Once against Yale in the 2024 NCAA Tournament first round and then again nearly a year later vs. Alabama in Auburn’s season finale.

Bruce Pearl showed a lot of trust in Baker-Mazara, mainly this past season as Auburn turned itself into one of the best teams in the country. A risk another head coach out there might be taking in the near future.

“Crazy and mine,” Pearl said ahead of the Elite Eight on ESPN. “My crazy. No, listen, passion, intensity — he cares so much. He puts a lot of pressure on himself. That’s one of the things that sometimes gets him, where he gets out of sorts a little bit. He wants to win so bad. Again, doesn’t want to disappoint his teammates.

“The thing I’ve told Chad is, ‘Look, you can affect the game, and the outcome of the game is winning by rebounding, by defending, by using your length, by communicating.’ Yeah, he can go through phases where he can get really hot. I trust Chad Baker-Mazara with the ball in his hands. I think he’s going to make the right read and the right play.”

Baker-Mazara had recently teased a return to Auburn for next season. Something must have changed, deciding to hit the transfer portal instead for his final season. The recently turned 25-year-old will be as experienced as they come, being a huge piece to whatever roster he lands.