Chad Baker-Mazara Tops Latinos to Watch in NCAA Basketball

Chad Baker-Mazara has emerged as a standout player in NCAA basketball, earning recognition on various platforms, including El-Balad’s “Top Latinos to Watch.” Last season, this forward made headlines while with Auburn, contributing significantly to the team’s advancement to the Final Four.

Chad Baker-Mazara’s Journey

Baker-Mazara achieved a remarkable feat at the NCAA tournament, scoring 18 points along with four steals and a block during the semifinal against Florida. Following the loss, he transferred to the University of Southern California (USC).

Originally from the Dominican Republic, he credits his father—a former player for the Dominican national team—and the late Kobe Bryant as major influences in his life. In a tribute, he expressed his wish for Bryant to witness his games, stating, “It didn’t happen, but I feel like he’s here in spirit.”

Career Highlights

• Baker-Mazara began his college career at Duquesne, ranking third in the A-10 in 3-point shooting (41.7%).
• At San Diego State, he earned the Mountain West Conference Sixth Man of the Year.
• He played two seasons at Auburn, averaging 12.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in his final year.
• Recently, he set new personal scoring records, including 34 points in a triple-overtime game against Troy.

Highlights of Other Promising Players

Apart from Baker-Mazara, several other Latino players are making significant impacts in college basketball:

Yaxel Lendenborg – Michigan

The 6-foot-7 Lendenborg, on the Naismith Karl Malone Award watch list, transferred to Michigan after two successful years at UAB, where he averaged a double-double.

Robbie Avila – St. Louis University

Avila, nicknamed “Cream Abdul Jabbar,” was recognized on the Naismith Player of the Year watch list. He averaged 17.1 points and 6.9 rebounds in his first season with the Billikens.

Kiyan Anthony – Syracuse

The son of NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, Kiyan aims to create his own legacy at Syracuse, averaging 11.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists as a true freshman.

Tyler Tejada – Towson

Tejada, the CAA Player of the Year, is currently leading Towson with an average of 18.6 points and six rebounds per game.

Isaac Taveras – Southern Miss

The 6-foot-6 guard has quickly adapted to his new team, recently scoring 28 points in his Golden Eagle debut and averaging 17.9 points through the first few games of the season.

Conclusion

Chad Baker-Mazara and his contemporaries exemplify the rising talent within the Latino basketball community. As they showcase their skills on the court, they continue to inspire future generations of players.