He began his journey with at Duquesne in 2020-21, then moved on to San Diego State for the 2021-22 season in search of a better fit on the roster. He fell behind academically in San Diego and was dismissed from the team when he couldn\u2019t catch up on classwork. Baker-Mazara then traveled to the East Coast to play for Northwest Florida State College during the 2022-23 season while getting back on track academically before landing a spot on the Auburn roster during the 2023-25 seasons. <\/p>\n
It has been a unique journey, but he is confident that he will write the most important chapter of his basketball career with the Trojans during the upcoming season.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
USC\u2019s Chad Baker-Mazara, center, shouts from the sideline during a workout at the Galen Center.<\/p>\n
(Ringo Chiu\/Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n
Born in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, he grew up under the influence of his father, who played basketball for the Dominican national team and in several international leagues. From a young age, Baker-Mazara knew he wanted to play basketball.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy dad was my first coach, my role model. Watching him play left a lasting impression on me,\u201d Baker-Mazara told L.A. Times en Espa\u00f1ol.<\/p>\n
Although he tried other sports, including soccer and baseball, basketball was his favorite. His dream of playing at higher levels began to pick up momentum as a teenager when he moved to New Jersey. He played at Colonia High School and later at SPIRE Academy, where he began to gain national recognition.<\/p>\n
His college career has been anything but linear. He started at Duquesne, where as a freshman he averaged 9.5 points per game and had some outstanding performances. Then came his stint at San Diego State, where he was Sixth Man of the Year in the Mountain West Conference. He then dropped down to the junior college level with Northwest Florida State College and was instrumental in the team winning the NJCAA national championship. There, he exploded offensively, averaging over 15 points per game and shooting 46.9% from the three-point line.<\/p>\n
His performance opened the door to Auburn. In two seasons with the Tigers, he established himself as a starter and key player. He contributed defense, maturity and efficiency from the perimeter. In his second year, he averaged 12.3 points, 3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, helping Auburn reach the Final Four. During the semifinals against Michigan State, a hand injury temporarily halted hims plans to jump to the professional level.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was going to declare for the draft this year, but with the injury, I wouldn\u2019t be able to show my best,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Baker-Mazara, a versatile 6-foot-7 athlete who can play guard and forward, decided to recover completely and give college basketball one last shot. <\/p>\n
After Auburn reportedly offered Baker-Mazara\u2019s teammate nearly twice as much as his name, image and likeness deal, he entered the transfer portal. USC coach Eric Musselman<\/a> landed a player widely regarded as the biggest loss from an SEC roster during the offseason.<\/p>\n USC\u2019s Chad Baker-Mazara, right, drives to the basket during a practice at the Galen Center.<\/p>\n (Ringo Chiu\/Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a proven winner and will be a player that we can play all over the floor,\u201d Musselman said shortly after Baker-Mazara signed with USC. \u201c… Chad plays with incredible passion and emotion that can lift a home crowd.\u201d<\/p>\n Baker-Mazara considers his arrival at USC the symbolic end of a cycle.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I was younger, I came to visit the university with my aunt, who graduated from here,\u201d he said. \u201cI saw Nikola Vucevic<\/a> walking around campus and said to myself, \u2018I want to play here someday.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Now that dream is a reality. <\/p>\n He is being mentored by Musselman, who previously was an NBA head coach. Baker-Mazara is pursuing a degree in interdisciplinary studies with minors in sports coaching, Spanish and sociology.<\/p>\n \u201cHe pushes us to be united on and off the court,\u201d Baker-Mazara said of Musselman. \u201cHe wants there to be a real connection between us as a group. And you can tell that the guys want to compete and win together.\u201d<\/p>\n Baker-Mazara is working to thrive in the spotlight, not only for himself and his family but for others who might be inspired by his journey. He is proud to be a high-profile Dominican player at an American college, a space with limited Latino representation.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery year there are more Latinos knocking on doors,\u201d he said. \u201cThe important thing is that when you get there, you\u2019re not just representing your country, but the entire Latino community. I want people to understand that I\u2019m not the same on and off the court. Out there, on the court, we are rivals. My dream is at stake, and I\u2019m going all out. … Many may not like my mentality because I believe that if you and I are fighting for that plate of food, I will do everything possible to prevent you from taking that plate. On the court, we are enemies.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n