Athlete Q&A: The One and Only, Chad Baker-Mazara

After earning All-SEC honors and making an indelible mark on the Auburn Tigers during their Final Four run last year, Chad Baker-Mazara hit the transfer portal looking for somewhere new to call home. Enter: USC. Always a dream school for Baker-Mazara, dreams are now turning into reality. House of Victory sat down to talk hoops and life off the court with one of the biggest personalities that will suit up for the Trojans this year.

House of Victory: What was it like growing up in the Dominican Republic? 

Chad Baker-Mazara: Growing up in the DR, it’s a third world country. So, it can get a little rough out there sometimes. For example, there are times everyday when there isn’t power. Where I grew up, from 6-7 p.m., everyday, there was no electricity. Thanks to God and my parents, they’ve given me everything I needed so I wouldn’t have to struggle as much. 

HOV: How did you first start playing basketball and when did you really fall in love with it?
CBM: I first started playing soccer growing up, but my dad played basketball and coached basketball so I’ve been around it my entire life. I’d go to practice with him a lot. Basketball was always a hobby for me, until about sixth or seventh grade when I decided I was done with all the other sports. I told my dad I wanted to do basketball for real, and I think that was one of the happiest moments for my dad. 

I saw my dad play, and saw him coach, and saw some of the great players who played for him overseas, and I just wanted the reaction that I would see from the crowd to be for me, too. He never forced me, but I knew he wanted me to play. Of course I wanted to make my parents proud so it was partly out of love for them.

HOV: A lot of people talk about your fire, your passion, on the court. How would you describe that part of your personality and your game? 

CBM: That’s just who I am. Everything I do, I do with passion, whether it’s something big or the smallest task. I’m either going to give you my all or nothing at all, I don’t know how to do anything different. That’s why people consider me to be crazy on the basketball court, but at the end of the day, I'm just trying to do everything I can do to win.

It comes from being overlooked a lot. A lot of people have thought I couldn’t play, have doubted me back at home and here. There’s a chip on my shoulder. My dad has a big name, so people assumed I was only getting the opportunities I got because of my dad. I carried that chip on my shoulder.

HOV: What appealed to you about USC when you were in the portal and why did you ultimately decide to come here? 

CBM: A long time ago my dream school was actually USC. My Auntie graduated from USC, and I just always knew I was going to put on the USC jersey one day. I’ve lived in California before and enjoyed it, so I knew I would like the environment here. I was trying to go to a program where there was a new coach, a new place, really just looking for something new, with a coach that wants to win.

HOV: I’m glad you mentioned Coach Muss, tell me why you want to play for him and what you’re looking forward to with him coaching you.

CBM: I knew a little bit about Coach Muss because he coached in the DR a long time ago. I had seen him coach before and he’s coached against me before so I knew about him. Everyone always told me he’s a very passionate guy, and I’m the same way, so that’s not a problem for me. It just shows he doesn’t want to lose and he wants to win. 

There have been a lot of people who said we would clash and we wouldn’t work out together, but we’re two different humans, we’re not supposed to agree on everything, but we have the same goal, which is to win a national championship, so it makes sense to me. In my mind, when you combine passion and passion, it’s going to work out.

HOV: What can USC fans expect from you and from this new-look team? 

CBM: You’re going to see a guy giving it all on the court, in the community, just overall. You have a guy who’s bought into the program and doesn’t want to do anything else but win. Especially at USC, there are so many programs here that have won so much, and we just want to put men’s basketball up there with some of our other sports here. Being a part of that would really fulfill my heart. 

Coach Muss did a great job finding all the pieces and fitting everyone together on this team. I know we got some dogs that are passionate and want to win bad, and we’re putting in the work. I’m excited to see what we look like, too! We’re going to get some W’s for sure.

HOV: What’s been your favorite part of being in LA so far? 

CBM: You wake up everyday and it’s just like home. It’s sunny and light outside! I love the weather, the heat, that’s the number one thing. I’m at my dream school, there’s nothing that can make you feel better than waking up and playing for a program that you always wanted to play for. How many people can say they’re doing that? It’s the cherry on top.

Quick Hits: 

• Favorite basketball player: RIP Kobe Bean Bryant. That’s another reason why I like USC. I always wanted to have Kobe watch me, and I know that his spirit is here, so to me, I’m doing it.
  
• All-time starting five: At the number one, I have to go with my boy, the Chef, Stephen Curry. Number two, you know I’m going to put the greatest of all time, Kobe Bean Bryant. At three, this is where it gets interesting. KD at my three. At four, it’s hard because you could either go with Wemby or Giannis. At five, I have to put Shaq. You can throw me in there, too. You can just put me in the corner, I promise we’re going to win every game.
  
  
• What are you listening to on repeat right now: Andrea by Bad Bunny
  
  
• Best advice you’ve ever received: I’m always big on betting on myself. Every time I’ve bet on myself I’ve landed in a better situation. That’s what I’ve done my whole life and look at me now, chilling and living in Los Angeles. 
  
  
• Hidden talent: Not so much anymore, but I used to be good at the Spanish guitar, like really good! I used to play for my school band.