Chad Baker-Mazara announces return to Auburn in 2024-25
Auburn was one of the few upset surprises in the NCAA Tournament first round, losing to Yale. Winning the SEC Tournament was thought to give the Tigers momentum but Bruce Pearl‘s guys were sent home early. Now, the journey to get back during the 2024-2025 season has begun and a key piece announced his return
Chad Baker-Mazara will be back on the Plains next year, saying his job is not complete. Baker-Mazara became a fan favorite down the stretch, despite ending the year on a sour note. Either way, Auburn fans will be happy to have him on next season’s roster.
“My work is not finished,” Baker-Mazara said in Spanish via a post on Auburn basketball’s X account. “War Eagle!”
Last time we saw Baker-Mazara, he was called for a Flagrant 2 foul against Yale. He had elbowed somebody away from the play and after an official review, Baker-Mazara was ejected from the game. A crucial moment as his presence was missed down the stretch.
Naturally, some stick was thrown Baker-Mazara’s way but Pearl defended his player not too long after. Pearl was not having any of the criticism coming from fans after the foul.
“I’ll tell the Auburn family, while I know you’re disappointed, if someone was messing with your son, you’d stand up for him,” Pearl said. “Stop messing with my son, I’m calling you out. I’m not having it.”
In what could have been an unfortunate time with the Tigers, an opportunity to make up for his mistake is there for Baker-Mazara.
Returning to Auburn will mean Baker-Mazara is not going through the transfer process for the first offseason of his collegiate career. Beginning at Duquesne, he left for San Diego State before playing the ’22-23 season in JUCO.
In his first year of power conference basketball, Baker-Mazara averaged 10 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. A huge reason as to why Auburn had success down the stretch of the regular season and into the SEC Tournament.
While it did not last in the NCAA Tournament, people involved with the program are hoping Auburn’s momentum can roll into next season. Getting somebody like Baker-Mazara back into the mix certainly helps, even if the Tigers have lost players to the NCAA transfer portal already.