BREAKING NEWS: Excitement fills Jordan-Hare Stadium, in Auburn, Alabama as Chad Baker-Mazara, 25, the last of Auburn’s starting five announces, “I’m not going anywhere.” He is set to return for the 2025-26 season after making the bold decision. Head coach Bruce Pearl has promised to make Him a

“I’m Not Going Anywhere”: Chad Baker-Mazara’s Bold Return Sparks a New Era at Auburn

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AUBURN, AL — The roar from Jordan-Hare Stadium wasn’t for a football game this time. It was for something far more unexpected and, to Auburn basketball fans, even more thrilling. As hundreds of students, fans, and media members gathered for what they believed was a casual offseason media day event, 25-year-old Chad Baker-Mazara — the emotional leader and final decision-maker among Auburn’s 2024-25 starting five — stepped onto the stage and took the microphone.

With a sly grin, he leaned into the mic and delivered the words that would ignite Tiger Nation:
“I’m not going anywhere.”

The crowd erupted. Confetti cannons blasted orange and blue. Bruce Pearl beamed with pride. And just like that, the Auburn Tigers’ 2025-26 season began with fireworks in April.

This wasn’t just an announcement. It was a declaration of war on mediocrity. A commitment to unfinished business. And for Baker-Mazara — whose collegiate journey has spanned multiple programs, countless cities, and more than a few doubters — it was the ultimate power move.

After a standout 2024-25 season where Auburn made a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, Baker-Mazara’s stock was at an all-time high. He averaged 14.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, while serving as a versatile wing defender and the Tigers’ emotional heartbeat.

Pro scouts were intrigued by his size (6’7”), playmaking, and defensive grit. Many assumed he’d test the NBA Draft waters, if not outright declare. Some even projected him as a late second-round pick, citing his leadership and maturity as off-court assets.

But Baker-Mazara had other plans.

“I love it here. This place changed me,” he said during his surprise announcement. “I came to Auburn to find stability, to find purpose. And what I found was family. I’m not done leading this team.”

For those who have followed Baker-Mazara’s career closely, his decision to return is even more meaningful given how far he’s come.

Born in the Dominican Republic and raised between Miami and New York, Chad’s path to Auburn was anything but straightforward. He started at Duquesne, transferred to San Diego State, then made a brief stop at Northwest Florida State before landing with Auburn in 2023.

Each move came with its own challenges. Academic eligibility. Coaching changes. Injuries. Maturity. Through it all, Baker-Mazara evolved — not just as a player, but as a man.

By the time he arrived on the Plains, he was laser-focused.

“I’ve had a lot of second chances,” he said in an interview last year. “Auburn was the first place that didn’t see me as baggage. They saw me as potential.”

And under Bruce Pearl, that potential was finally unlocked.

While the college basketball world is obsessed with five-star freshmen and the transfer portal frenzy, Bruce Pearl has consistently found success with players like Baker-Mazara — tough, experienced, and hungry.

So when Baker-Mazara announced he was staying, Pearl didn’t hide his excitement.

“Chad’s not just coming back. He’s coming back to lead,” Pearl said. “And I’ve promised him that we’re building everything around that. He’s going to be our guy.”

According to team sources, Pearl had already begun drawing up next season’s offensive sets with Baker-Mazara in mind as a primary facilitator. His size and versatility allow him to play the 2, 3, or 4, giving Auburn unmatched flexibility.

“He’s not just a wing,” said associate head coach Wes Flanigan. “He’s our Swiss Army knife. He can guard your best scorer and also drop 20 on the other end.”

With Baker-Mazara’s return, Auburn now brings back a core of players that includes sophomore breakout big man Donovan Reeves, sharpshooting guard Zion Bledsoe, and elite rim protector Malik Carter. They’ll also welcome one of the top incoming freshman classes in the SEC, headlined by five-star point guard Treyvon Ellis from Atlanta.

But it’s Baker-Mazara who ties it all together. His leadership in the locker room, vocal presence during practices, and never-back-down attitude set the tone for Auburn’s identity.

“He holds everyone accountable,” said Bledsoe. “Even the coaches. He’s the kind of guy you want to go to war with.”

Baker-Mazara’s return is more than just a basketball move. It’s a cultural moment. In an era where NIL deals, draft prep, and brand-building often overshadow loyalty, his decision to stay sends a powerful message.

“I’ve had offers,” he admitted. “Big ones. Overseas. G League. Even other schools. But none of that felt right. Auburn felt right.”

Social media exploded following the announcement. ESPN ran it as breaking news. Former Auburn stars like Jabari Smith Jr. and Isaac Okoro tweeted their support. Even NBA players took notice.

“Real one,” wrote Donovan Mitchell.
“Respect,” posted Draymond Green.

Auburn fell just short of a Final Four appearance in 2025, losing to eventual champion UConn in a brutal Elite Eight matchup that many felt could’ve gone either way.

“We weren’t ready,” Baker-Mazara said after that loss. “But we will be.”

Now, with a full offseason to build chemistry and a coach who thrives in the underdog role, the Tigers have a legitimate shot at cutting down nets in 2026.

And Baker-Mazara knows it.

“We’re coming for it all,” he said to the crowd. “Final Four. Natty. Legacy.”

By choosing to return, Baker-Mazara has a chance to do something rare in the modern era — etch his name into program lore not just as a player, but as a legend.

His jersey might not be in the rafters yet, but if he delivers on his promise — if he leads Auburn to its second Final Four or, dare say, its first national title — that conversation becomes real.

“I want kids to look up at the arena one day and see my name,” he said, his voice cracking slightly. “Not because I scored the most points. But because I stayed when I could’ve left.”

The SEC will be a battlefield next year, with Kentucky reloading, Tennessee tough as ever, and Alabama always dangerous. But Auburn has something no one else does: a veteran star who said “no” to money, “no” to hype, and “yes” to the grind.

Expect preseason rankings to favor Auburn in the top 10, with Baker-Mazara a dark horse candidate for SEC Player of the Year.

But he doesn’t care about rankings. He cares about winning.

“I’ve been doubted my whole life,” he said. “I don’t need hype. I need rings.”

Chad Baker-Mazara’s decision isn’t just a return. It’s a revolution. A chance to redefine what loyalty looks like in college sports. A chance to bring glory back to the Plains. And for the kid who once bounced from school to school, it’s a chance to finally find home.

And if his words on that electric afternoon are any indication, he plans to make his final chapter unforgettable.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he said.
And neither are Auburn’s championship dreams.