It’s not a question most college athletes spend much time thinking about as they weigh their next move. Whether it’s deciding to go pro or return to school, stick with their current program or jump into the transfer portal, or even whether to honor an existing NIL deal or push for a better one—there’s a lot on their plate.
With so much focus on the next few months, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture and what those choices might mean for the decades to come.
Which brings us to Dylan Cardwell and Chad Baker-Mazara.
Both were starters on arguably the greatest basketball team in Auburn history, valued not only for their performance but also for their vibrant personalities. Last week, they each bid farewell to the Plains—on the same day, but for different reasons and different paths ahead.
Cardwell is stepping away from college basketball altogether as his eligibility has run out. Baker-Mazara, meanwhile, is using the transfer portal to play one final college season elsewhere.
Both will be remembered by the Auburn community—just in very different ways.
Many Auburn fans likely got emotional watching Cardwell’s farewell video, where he spoke from the heart about what it meant to spend five years wearing the Auburn jersey. His words underscored how much he valued representing the school, just like the fans do.
Cardwell will be remembered more for the kind of person he was than just for his stats—though his on-court contributions were nothing to overlook. He finished first in career field-goal percentage, second in dunks, and fourth in blocks at Auburn. That journey wasn’t easy.
Before finally becoming a full-time starter as a fifth-year senior, he played in 128 games with just two starts. Pearl rewarded his patience, energy, and leadership by starting him in all 38 games this past season. He had his best year individually, and Auburn had its best season ever. That’s no coincidence.
He wasn’t the flashiest player on the roster, but he was the ultimate teammate—focused more on team success than personal accolades. Alongside stars like Johni Broome and Tahaad Pettiford, Cardwell held his own, prioritizing wins over stats.
He leaves having played more games in an Auburn uniform than legends like Barkley or Person. But while he may be moving on, his legacy won’t fade. His goodbye video—“It’s been an honor to play for you”—was a powerful reminder of what college athletics can still represent in an increasingly transactional world.
College basketball could use more players like Dylan Cardwell.
That said, there’s still room for players like Chad Baker-Mazara, too. It wouldn’t be fair for Auburn fans to criticize his decision to transfer, especially after celebrating transfers like Miles Kelly. The transfer portal both gives and takes—but above all, it highlights the evolving business side of college sports.
Every player has to make decisions that are right for them, and as long as they give their all while they’re on the team, that’s what matters.
Baker-Mazara made a meaningful impact in his two seasons at Auburn, contributing to the 2024 SEC Tournament win and the 2025 regular-season title. Sure, there were frustrating moments—like against Yale in 2024 or Senior Day against Alabama—but Auburn was better with him than without him.
Fans defended him even when his actions weren’t always easy to defend. In his farewell message on X, he thanked his teammates, coaches, and the Auburn Family for their support over two years.
It sounded heartfelt, and maybe it was—but in the era of transfer announcements, words like his can sometimes ring a little hollow, especially when you’re leaving a Final Four squad with a “with that being said.”
