Chad Baker-Mazara Tops List of Latinos to Watch in NCAA Basketball

Chad Baker-Mazara, a standout forward from the University of Southern California (USC), has emerged as a player to watch in NCAA basketball. He gained national attention during the NCAA tournament last season, where he played a vital role in helping Auburn reach its second Final Four. In a significant semifinal matchup against Florida, Baker-Mazara scored 18 points, demonstrating his skills on a big stage. After the loss to Florida, he transferred to USC, where he is continuing to make waves.

Born in the Dominican Republic, Baker-Mazara draws inspiration from his father, a former player for the Dominican national team, and the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant. Reflecting on his career, Baker-Mazara expressed his admiration for Bryant, stating, “Kobe was one of the reasons I took up basketball… I feel like he’s here in spirit.” Currently, he has been named the MVP of the Maui Invitational and is a key figure in Our Esquina’s list of top Latinos to watch in men’s college basketball.

Career Overview

Baker-Mazara’s basketball journey has seen significant progress over the years. He began his collegiate career at Duquesne, where he finished the 2020-2021 season ranked third in the Atlantic 10 (A-10) Conference for 3-point shooting at 41.7%. He then moved to San Diego State, where he earned the Mountain West Conference Sixth Man of the Year award. After spending time at Northwest Florida State College, he transferred to Auburn, achieving NCAA Tournament appearances in both seasons.

Performance Highlights

• Final season with Auburn: Averaged 12.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists.
• Set new career highs at USC: 26 points against Manhattan and 34 points in a thrilling triple-overtime game against Troy.

Notable Players to Watch Alongside Baker-Mazara

Yaxel Lendenborg – Michigan

Ranked No. 2, Yaxel Lendenborg has transitioned to Michigan after two successful seasons at UAB. Here, he averaged 16 points and 7.6 rebounds in his first season.

Robbie Avila – SLU

No. 3 Robbie Avila is making his mark at St. Louis University, named to the Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year watch list after averaging 17.1 points in his debut season.

Victor Valdes – Troy

As a sophomore, Victor Valdes has improved significantly, upping his scoring average to 16.8 points this season compared to just 4.3 points last year.

Kiyan Anthony – Syracuse

No. 5 Kiyan Anthony, son of Carmelo Anthony, aims to create his legacy at Syracuse, posting averages of 11.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists as a freshman.

Johnuel “Boogie” Fland – Florida

Coming in at No. 6, Johnuel Fland has shown promise at Florida, averaging 12 points and contributing defensively with 1.7 steals per game.

Chad Baker-Mazara continues to be a remarkable talent in college basketball. His journey, along with the ascent of other talented Latinos, highlights the growing presence and impact of Latino athletes in the sport. Fans can look forward to witnessing Baker-Mazara’s further developments this season with USC, as he aims for even greater achievements.