5 fun facts: Get to know Thunder rookie Aday Mara before 2026-27 season

September 12, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

As the 12th overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft, center Aday Mara joins the Oklahoma City Thunder after helping Michigan to its second national title last season.

Mara was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, averaging 12.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 2.4 assists while shooting 66.8% from the field. He ranked third in the country in total blocks (103) and became the first Wolverine with 100 or more in a season.

Visit newsbetting.club for more information.

The 21-year-old played the first two years of his collegiate career at UCLA, averaging five points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 61 total appearances. He ranked third in the Big Ten in blocked shots as a sophomore during the 2024-25 season (1.6).

Along with Morez Johnson Jr. (ninth pick) and Yaxel Lendeborg (11th pick), Mara was among three former Wolverines drafted in the first round this year. It marked just the second time in program history that Michigan had three first-round picks in the same draft (1990).

The 7-foot Spaniard debuted with the Thunder in summer league, averaging 9.2 points, seven rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.8 blocks while shooting 56.3% from the field in five games. He reached 10 or more points four times, including a 14-point performance on July 14.

Mara was linked to the Thunder throughout the predraft process as a player who can make an impact off the bench and provide additional depth in the frontcourt. He was instrumental in Michigan's title run and will bring additional championship experience to OKC.

Throughout September, Rookie Wire is compiling some of the most interesting facts about each first-round pick in an effort to further introduce the incoming draft class ahead of the 2026-27 season

Family

Mara, born in Zaragoza, is the son ofJavier Mara, who played pro basketball in Spain. His mother, Gely Gómez, competed for Spain’s national volleyball team. Mara played beach volleyball and credits the sport with developing his footwork and balance.

View this post on Instagram

Spain

Mara debuted with Spain's senior national team last month in the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup European qualifying tournament, averaging 13.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.5 assists in two appearances. Before his debut, Mara previously helped the junior team win silver at the 2022 FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup and the 2023 FIBA U18 European Championship. He also played in the 2024 FIBA U20 EuroBasket.

NCAA Championship

Mara became the first Spanish player to win an NCAA Division I championship last season with Michigan. He also made history upon entering the NBA as one of three Spanish players selected (Sergio de Larrea, Baba Miller), marking the second time in history that happened in the same draft.

Chef Mara

Mara prides himself on his cooking, a skill he picked up while at UCLA. He can make several Spanish dishes, including paella, while he also likes cooking pasta, risotto and steak.

"The love for cooking came when I was at UCLA in my apartment, when I didn't want to eat bad or fast food," Mara said, via ESPN on Instagram. "My parents were sending me videos of recipes that they had, so I was just following their steps."

Gasol Brothers

Mara grew up idolizing Marc Gasol and Pau Gasol as two of the most successful Spanish players to suit up in the NBA. He has had the opportunity to meet Pau Gasol on a few occasions and has communicated with him before various games throughout his career.

"Our generation in Spain, we are super lucky because we had the golden generation before us, so probably the Gasol brothers," Mara said of his influences, via the Thunder on Instagram. "They were there since I was a kid. But I try to take a lot of things from different players."

This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: 5 fun facts: Get to know Thunder rookie Aday Mara before 2026-27 season

Read full story at source