Aday Mara

Draft Notes

Mara is an incredibly skilled and talented 7-3 center with great passing instincts and feel for the game.

He has a massive impact on both ends of the floor thanks to his great size, his presence in the lane and his ball skills.

He’s not the most mobile player but then again most 7-3 players aren’t super mobile. He does a good job of defending in the paint and at the rim, although he could stand to get stronger.

His passing skills really set him apart from most other centers. He surveys the floor and finds cutters and open shooters

Has a nice shooting touch from mid range and is expanding his range to three. Should be a good floor spacer at the NBA level. Dunks the ball with ease and scores in the paint over either shoulder.

The biggest concern is his ability to guard at the NBA level. I think his lack of strength and mobility will make it hard for him to stay on a NBA floor, at least early in his career or until he gets a lot stronger.

Comparisons

• Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Draft Projection

possible second round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft

2026 Center Rankings

1. Aday Mara – 7-3 – Michigan (Spain)
2. Morez Johnson – 6-10 – Michigan
3. Chris Cenac Jr. – 6-10 – Houston
4. Henri Veesaar – 7-0 – North Carolina (Estonia)
5. Tarris Reed Jr. – 6-10 – UConn
6. Jayden Quaintance – 6-10 – Kentucky
7. Zuby Ejiofor – 6-9 – St. John’s
8. Keba Keita – 6-8 – BYU (Mali)
9. Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso – 7-0 – Kansas State (Nigeria)
10. Felix Okpara – 6-11 – Tennessee (Nigeria)
11. Rafael Castro – 6-11 – George Washington
12. Carson Cooper – 6-11 – Michigan State
13. Oscar Cluff – 6-11 – Purdue
14. Robbie Avila – 6-10 – Saint Louis