Chad Baker-Mazara, RJ Luis Jr. lead Latinos in NCAA Tournament

Latinos will have a huge presence in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament this year. St. John’s RJ Luis Jr. is arguably the biggest stars among the Latinos expected to play big roles in the NCAA Tournament.

Luis, a Dominican American, and Auburn’s Chad Baker-Mazara have become household names in college basketball. Our Esquina identified many of the top Latinos to watch in the NCAA Tournament, beginning with Luis.

RJ Luis Jr. is coming off a phenomenal season in which he earned Big East Player of the Year. He has the Red Storm in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019. The Johnnies secured the No. 2 seed after winning the 2025 Big East Conference regular season and the Big East Tournament.

RJ Luis Jr. helped St. John’s win its first conference championship in 25 years. Luis Jr. was named Big East Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.

RJ Luis Jr. lifts St. John’s to NCAA Tournament

The Miami, Fla., native leads St. John’s with 18.4 points per game. Luis Jr. made 41 three-pointers and averaged seven rebounds a game. To cap off his outstanding junior year, the 6-foot-7 guard was the first Latino to win the Big East Player of the Year Award. 

Baker-Mazara, a native of the Dominican Republic, has led the Auburn Tigers to their first No. 1 seed in school history. The Santo Domingo native is one of the best Latino players in college basketball.

The 6-foot-7 senior is Auburn’s second leading scorer. He’s averaging 12.6 points a game and leads the Tigers in steals with 45. 

Finally, the sharpshooting wing was named to the All-SEC Third Team. 

Senior guard Rafael Pinzon leads the Bryant Bulldogs with 18.5 points per game. The Arecibo, Puerto Rico, native will have his hands full against No. 2 Michigan State. 

Pinzon was named All-AEC First Team. The 6-foot-6 guard led his team in scoring and 3-pointers made. The Bulldogs will need plenty of threes to outmatch the Spartans elite defense. 

Andersson Garcia and the Texas A&M Aggies are the No. 4 seed in the bracket. The Moca, Dominican Republic, native played a great role in A&M’s success. 

Known as a skilled defender, Garcia tallied 198 rebounds, 21 blocks, and 33 steals. The senior forward recorded a 11-point and 11-rebound double-double in a victory against Auburn. 

The Aggies could need Garcia’s defensive talent once again because Texas A&M and Auburn can meet again in the Sweet 16 if both teams advance.

Norchad Omier looks to return to Final Four

Nicaraguan Norchad Omier, who led Miami to the 2023 Final Four, leads Baylor in points (15.9 per game) and rebounds (10.9 per game). He’ll lead the Bears against Mississippi.

RJ Melendez has been a key starter for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. He’s averaged nine points and four rebounds per game. The Arecibo native’s defensive physicality is needed against a tough  Baylor team.

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It’ll be Latino duel from the forward position as both Omier and Melendez face off in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. 

Daniel Abreu is averaging 10.4 points per game for Drake. The 6-foot-6 senior forward from Springfield, Mo., is averaging 3.3 rebounds. He’s second on the team in scoring. 

Carmelo Pacheco is averaging 9.5 points per game. The 6-foot-5 sophomore guard will try to help Mount St. Mary’s beat American University in a First Four duel between No. 16 seeds.

Costa Rican Ian Martinez leads Utah State with 16.8 points per game. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound guard will be tested against Tennessee.

Koby Brea can light it up

Few people realize that Arizona freshman Carter Bryant is Latino. The former McDonald’s American’s mom, Sabrina Torres, is Latina. The 6-foot-8 forward is averaging 6.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.

Bryant will be a key for the No. 4 seed Wildcats, who could make a Final Four run.

Koby Brea averaged 11.5 points per game for No. 3 Kentucky. The 6-foot-7 senior guard from Washington Heights, N.Y., is a sharpshooter for the Wildcats. 

Vanderbilt’s Chris Mañon started 25 games for the Commodores. The New Milford, N.J., native averaged 6.5 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. 

Troy’s Victor Valdes is averaging 4.2 points a game. 

UC San Diego’s Ryder Elisaldez, a member of the Mexican Junior National Team, played in 20 games this season as a freshman. He has averaged one point a game.

Javohn Garcia is averaging a team-high 12.9 points for McNeese State. Eddiean Tirado, who played for the Puerto Rican U17 National Basketball team, is averaging 1.4 points for SIUE. 

Jason Amador averages 0.4 points for Grand Canyon. Missouri’s Jeremey Sanchez is averaging 0.2 points a game.

_{Featured photo courtesy of St. John’s athletics.}