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Chad Baker-Mazara links transfer to Bruce Pearl retirement: 'Now you guys understand'

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh09/22/25griffin_mcveigh
Auburn Bruce Pearl and Chad Baker-Mazara
© John Reed-Imagn Images

Bruce Pearl announcing his retirement sent shockwaves through the college basketball world. Plenty of reactions have poured in, including from former Auburn players. One of them is Chad Baker-Mazara, linking his transfer to USC with Pearl’s move.

“Oh now ya understand,” Baker-Mazara said on his Instagram story. He added two emojis at the end, the laughing face and the 100 one as well. You can check out the full post down below.

Baker-Mazara was a fan favorite during his time on the Plains. A controversial figure at times, Baker-Mazara still produced in big ways for the Tigers. He averaged 11.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game over two seasons. Him shooting over 44% from the field and 38.1% from the three-point line played a massive role in Auburn making a Final Four run. Almost nobody on the roster produced at the free-throw line like him either, making 88.8% of his attempts.

However, when another season of eligibility came to fruition, Baker-Mazara decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Auburn attempted to keep him but other big-time programs came after CBM, mainly the Kentucky Wildcats and USC. Of course, he wound up selecting the Trojans. Based on what Baker-Mazara put out on Instagram, Pearl retiring played a role in his leaving.

The transition for Auburn is not expected to be too bumpy. Bruce Pearl hands the baton over to his son, Steven Pearl. An internal hire for the program as the new head coach received a five-year deal.

Chad Baker-Mazara ready to feature for USC

Baker-Mazara plays for somebody else with plenty of SEC experience under their belt. Eric Musselman enters his second season in Los Angeles at USC after previously coaching for the Arkansas Razorbacks. In fact, Musselman got a good look at Baker-Mazara in January 2024, watching him score 16 points, secure four rebounds, and dish out three assists in an Auburn blowout win against Arkansas.

The duo now hopes to produce something similar at USC. Just one season remains for Baker-Mazara in his fourth Division I program of his career. Before Auburn, there were Duquesne and San Diego State. Another stint out West feels like the perfect bow.

USC begins its regular season on Nov. 3, welcoming Cal Poly to the Galen Center. No matchups against former SEC opponents are currently on the schedule. For now, Baker-Mazara will grind through a Big Ten season with the Trojans.