After the NCAA’s decision to grant all former JUCO prospects another year of eligibility last December, Auburn coach Bruce Pearl confirmed that Chad Baker-Mazara can come back next season.

Prior to playing at Auburn, Baker-Mazara played at Northwest Florida State College at the JUCO level.

“Without any kind of appeal, Chad Baker has another year of eligibility,” Pearl said to the media Friday morning. “He does because he fits all the criteria. Some of the other guys that have been talked about, I’m not going to specifically reference, but Chad is the one that right now qualifies.”

Denver Jones and Chaney Johnson also played at the JUCO level before transferring to Auburn. It’s unclear at the moment if they’ll be returning next season.

With Jones still recovering from his injury, his status for Saturday’s regular season finale is questionable after missing the Tigers last game at Texas A&M.

Baker-Mazara helped fill in the backcourt alongside Tahaad Pettiford and the tandem combined for 34 points.

“Chad did a great job at Texas A&M playing the point,” Pearl said. “I could see him playing some of it next year too, because he just – you put the ball in his hands, he can make plays for himself and make plays for others. And so, yeah, that was a no brainer.”

Auburn’s matchup with Alabama is set to tip off at 1:30 p.m. Saturday and will be televised on ESPN.

Jerry Humphrey III covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @Jerryhump3 or email him at [email protected].