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Chad Baker-Mazara is officially in the transfer portal. The Auburn basketball star announced his plan to leave the university on Thursday in a post on social media.
The veteran wing player will now look for his fifth college program. He leaves behind a lucrative NIL deal with the Tigers.
The numbers on that agreement aren’t public, but he would’ve likely been one of the more highly compensated returning roster members in 2025-26. Baker-Mazara is fresh off his best season as a D1 player, tallying career-highs in scoring and assists while helping the team reach the Final Four.
With teammates Johni Broome and Tahaad Pettiford declaring for the NBA Draft, his role was expected to grow – as was his NIL payout.
Baker-Mazara is one of the sport’s most polarizing figures. His on-court antics have earned the disgust of rival fans. They’ve also been detrimental to his own team in crucial moments throughout his career. Still, the production is evident.
Chad Baker-Mazara has one year left to play.
The 6-foot-7 super senior took a winding road to get to Auburn. That journey began eight years ago.
Baker-Mazara was born in the Dominican Republic. He moved to the US in 2017 before his junior high school year. After wrapping up a career at Colonia High, he spent a season at postgrad school.
That decision put him one year behind players in his graduating class. He later signed with Duquesne before transferring to San Diego State after one season. His time with the Dukes did not count against his eligibility due to the NCAA’s pandemic blanket waiver.
After one year with the Aztecs, his grades forced him to hit JUCO. Thanks to the Deigo Pavia ruling last year, that season will not count against his eligibility either.
He then landed at Auburn where he’s spent the last two seasons. A recap:
’20-’21 – Duquesne (COVID year)
’21-’22 – SDSU (Year 1 of eligibility)
’22-’23 – JUCO (Pavia ruling)
’23-24 – Auburn (Year 2)
’24-’25 – Auburn (Year 3)
Chad Baker-Mazara is 25 years old. He will turn 26 before the end of his final season. Still, he has one year left of eligibility, which he plans to spend at a new school.
The versatile guard/forward teased a return to college basketball earlier this year. Now, he’s made it official.
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
Fans are reacting to the news on social media.
Most are unsurprisingly commenting on Baker-Mazara’s age with replies about joining the workforce.
— College Sports Only 🏈 🏀 ⚾️ (@CollegeSportsO) April 17, 2025
“Get this man on AARP” one user joked. “Does your 401K transfer as well?” asked another.
One particular fan went as far as to kickstart his job search. He created a fake resume to help him get started with life after basketball.
Had ai go ahead and get a head start on your resume. This ought to help you out pic.twitter.com/WvcW90R3fP
— Bobby “Bugs” Jones (@lot_lizard069) April 17, 2025
Chad Baker-Mazara could be seven to eight years older than the incoming freshman class. Still, due to NCAA rule, he’s able to lace ’em up one last season.
Despite his age, he’ll be sure to garner plenty of interest in the transfer portal. He left behind a lucrative NIL deal at Auburn. He might find a better one with his next school.