The Louisville men's basketball team is still in contact with players to fill the last roster spot. The Cardinals learned that their elite power forward, Kasean Pryor, will return, giving fans hope that they have a legitimate shot at one of the best targets in the transfer portal.
Chad Baker-Mazara was the leading scorer for the Auburn Tigers during their Final Four season, and Louisville was thought to be a top landing spot for the Auburn transfer. Pryor and Baker-Mazara were once teammates and were seen in the Bahamas together, making fans think that Louisville will pursue in the phenom transfer from Auburn.
However, Joe Tipton of On3 Sports just reported some unfortunate news, as the Cardinals will miss out on this dream target and will have to keep looking.
Louisville basketball loses fan's dream transfer portal forward to USC
Tipton reported that the 6-foot-7 Auburn transfer officially committed to the USC Trojans. This makes it seem that this was always a rumor and that maybe head coach Pat Kelsey and his staff truly never were in on Baker-Mazara.
BREAKING: Auburn transfer guard Chad Baker-Mazara has committed to USC, he told @On3sports.
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 28, 2025
The 6-7 senior averaged 12.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game this season. Scored 18 points on Florida in the Final Four. https://t.co/QfYaVsWmO6 pic.twitter.com/mxCkQ7ouF3
Last season at Auburn, he averaged 12.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, shooting the ball exceptionally well beyond the arc at 38.1 percent. The 25-year-old was a perfect fit with Louisville. He would have been a great addition to the frontcourt as a perfect 3-and-D wing who could also play the stretch forward role. At 6-foot-7, his capability to shoot is a glaring reason why he was a dream target for the Cards' nation.
Another factor he would have brought to Louisville is experience. He was a massive piece for Auburn in the NCAA Tournament, scoring 17 points against Creighton and 18 points against Florida in the Final Four.
The Cardinals now must go back to the drawing board and attack Jamir Watkins, Nana Owusu-Anane, and others. Kelsey has had one of the best offseasons so far, as 247Sports ranks Louisville's additions No. 3 in the nation, and On3 Sports ranks their offseason No. 11.
Related: 5 Win-now players Louisville basketball must land after James Scott enters portal
Related: 3 New transfer portal entries that the Louisville Cardinals have reached out to
For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason, stay tuned.