The Aragonese center has not had an easy path to get here after making the jump to the ACB at 17 with Casademont Zaragoza and deciding to end his association with the Aragonese club in 2023, a legal dispute that is still ongoing, before moving to the NCAA to play for UCLA. But his two years in Los Angeles were not easy because the team's coach, Mick Cronin, did not trust Mara and gave him barely any opportunities.
Those two years, somewhat wasted, seemed likely to halt one of the biggest talents in European basketball, but he decided to move to Michigan and, in just one season, broke through completely to become an NCAA champion as a key player for the Wolverines. It was such an outstanding campaign that it led to him being selected 12th overall in the Draft, the fourth-highest selection for a Spaniard in the North American league, by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Although Casademont Zaragoza issued a statement insisting that Aday was still under contract with the red-and-white club and that a transfer fee therefore had to be agreed, the Thunder believe that will not happen, and his NBA debut is not at risk.
THUNDER CONTENDERS FOR THE TITLE
Mara has not landed on a team in rebuilding mode, but quite the opposite. The Thunder were NBA champions in 2025 and are seeking the second title in their history, with Aday expected to become one of the franchise's key pieces as they pursue another championship. Their roster includes two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein, and they are also one of the most physical teams in the league because of their intense defense.
It must also be taken into account that this roster may be in its final year of being able to go for the title because of all the salaries they will have to start taking on next season. Therefore, to avoid exceeding the NBA's second apron and taking on exorbitant spending, this is the season marked in red on the Thunder's calendar as they seek to be the best team in the North American competition once again.
Precisely, this debut comes against their main rival in the Western Conference in the race to reach the Finals. It will be a game in which Aday faces Wembanyama, who during his years in the NBA has been a nightmare for defenses because of his physical ability and talent, unlike anything previously seen in the competition. This matchup will therefore serve as a kind of preview of a conference finals series between two of the best teams in the world.
