After starting out at Duquesne and San Diego State, Chad Baker-Mazara took a detour to Northwest Florida State College for the 2022–23 season before making his mark at Auburn, playing a key role in their Final Four run. Now at 25, Baker-Mazara has entered the transfer portal once again, prompting head coach Bruce Pearl to explore small-school options for a replacement on the wing.
Over the weekend, Pearl secured a transfer commitment from a standout from Division II Lincoln Memorial University. The 6-foot-8 wing brings an impressive mix of outside shooting, length, and athleticism, averaging nearly 20 points per game. Despite his promising profile, Freeman represents a gamble as the fourth transfer addition of Auburn’s offseason.
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Following the departure of the entire starting lineup from last year’s Final Four squad, Baker-Mazara was the last significant player to leave. Several new additions are viewed as potential replacements, including UCF’s Keyshawn Hall, a skilled lefty scorer, and Kevin Overton, a defensively solid but streaky shooter. Still, Freeman may be the most direct positional substitute, although his transition is far from guaranteed.
Jumping from D2 to the SEC is no small feat. Pearl’s previous transfer from a mid-major, JP Pegues from Furman, struggled after a slow start and eventually lost his spot in the rotation. While Freeman possesses more ideal physical tools than Pegues, adjusting to the SEC level remains a steep challenge.
That said, Freeman could thrive with the enhanced support and coaching available at a powerhouse like Auburn. There are successful examples—such as Bennett Stirtz, who followed his D2 coach to Drake and became an All-American honorable mention, and Dalton Knecht, who rose from Northern Colorado to stardom at Tennessee. Chaz Lanier also made the leap, earning All-SEC honors after transferring from North Florida.
Baker-Mazara himself was a well-traveled player before finding his stride at Auburn. If Freeman can follow a similar path, Pearl’s calculated risk may turn into a major reward. Patience could be key as Freeman adapts to life in the SEC.
