After losing Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals to All-Star Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, the Oklahoma City Thunder selected Aday Mara with the 12th pick. Mara, 7-foot-3, coming off an NCAA national title with Michigan and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors, is projected to be the best rim protector of his draft class. For many, Mara and the Thunder are an ideal fit as Oklahoma City looks to bounce back from its first title-defense loss in franchise history.
He gives the Thunder another defensive layer to compete against Wembanyama and the Spurs, thus raising the question to Mara over the thrill of facing the defending Western Conference champion in his rookie campaign, per Thunder reporter Daniel Bell.
“It’s not a bad thing to hear. I think it’s gonna take time and adjustments, but I’m excited to play against him,” Mara said. “Obviously, to play in the NBA. But I feel like I’m going to play against him a lot if it’s in the NBA or for the national team.”
“Obviously it’s not a bad thing to hear. I think it’s gonna take time and adjustments but I’m excited to play against him”
– Aday Mara on the Thunder drafting him to be the “Wemby stopper” pic.twitter.com/RdMKZCDJBd
— The Daniel Bell© (@BasketballGuruD) June 24, 2026
The 2026 Western Conference Finals are just the beginning of what’s expected to be a longstanding rivalry between two of the youngest title-contending teams in the NBA, led by their respective MVP candidates in the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama.
With Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein — two 7-foot centers — as pillars to head coach Mark Daigneault’s frontcourt, the Thunder just added another in Aday Mara, who’s looking forward to defending at a high level alongside Holmgren.
“Trying to help the team as much as I can, and just try to get better and better every year or every month,” Mara added. “Being able to play with Chet, I think we can play together. I think that could be great for the team. Talking about rim protection, but, obviously, defense, in my game, I feel is going to be super important.”
“Being able to play with Chet, I think we can play together. And I think that could be great for the team. Talking about rim protection”
– Aday Mara excited to add to the Thunder already stacked defensive team. Particularly sharing the floor with Chet pic.twitter.com/tMYkTAcVt9
— The Daniel Bell© (@BasketballGuruD) June 24, 2026
Last year, the 7-foot-3, 240-pound Mara averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game in just over 23 minutes.
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