BREAKING: JUCO wing Chad Baker-Mazara commits to Auburn
Junior college wing Chad Baker-Mazara has committed to Auburn basketball and Bruce Pearl.
Baker-Mazara, who is currently attending Northwest Florida State Community College, announced his decision Thursday night on Twitter.
He chose the Tigers over Texas A&M, Toledo and Creighton, among others.
“Let’s Go Tigers,” he wrote on Twitter.
His decision comes less than 24 hours after leaving an official visit to Auburn.
“I had a great time with the coaches, the players that I met and the whole personnel staff,” he said. “It was really fun. I really enjoyed it.”
Auburn coaches impress Baker-Mazara
Baker-Mazara spent a lot of time with Auburn assistant Ira Bowman, as well as several other coaches and staff members.
“I spent a lot of time with (Bowman),” he said. “I spent a lot of time with all of them, to be honest. They were all there throughout the whole visit. I like the way they interact with each other. It’s a family. They build bonds on and off the court.”
Baker-Mazara also was impressed with Auburn coach Bruce Pearl.
“He’s a really nice guy,” he said. “He really caught me off-guard. He seems like a military, a real straight-up dude, but then he also seems like a little boy in a sense. (Pearl) has that kid in him, but at the same time, he’s all about this job and taking care of business.”
Auburn’s message to JUCO wing
Auburn’s message to Baker-Mazara was simple.
“Their message to me was I have an opportunity to come here and be great as long as I do what I got to do and take care of business,” he said. “I’m definitely considering. I’m trying to have an opportunity to be the best player ever.”
Baker-Mazara, who is listed at 6-foot-7 and 190 pounds, has two years of eligibility.
Baker-Mazara can shoot, score
In the 2022-23 season, Baker-Mazara averaged 15 points per game. He shot 48% from the floor and 46% from the 3-point line, and also was an 83% free-throw shooter.
He started his career at Duquesne in 2020-21 and started 13 of 15 games. During that season, Baker-Mazara averaged 9.5 points and 2.9 rebounds per game and added 17 assists, 15 steals and 13 blocks. He was 46-of-105 (43.8%) from the floor, 25-of-60 (41.7%) from 3, and 26-of-32 (81.3%) from the free-throw line.
Baker-Mazara transferred to San Diego State the following season, earning Mountain West Sixth Man of the Year honors. He appeared in 31 games and averaged 6.4 points and 2.0 rebounds. He hit 66-of-157 (42%) from the floor, 22-of-56 (39.3%) from 3 and 44-of-49 (89.8%) from the free-throw line.
