Aday Mara ☆ Follow

Starts 0 of 3 games · 9th on OKC in minutes · Rotation role

Bars: minutes in his last 3 games · numbers: points

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Every situation, with four seasons of history →

• Podcast The Athletic NBA Daily host · Report · 43 h ago around the league

  No. 12 pick Aday Mara made his Thunder debut against the Spurs. He blocked Wembanyama at one end and then caught a lob at the other.

  “Sixers Thrive + Jamal Murray down bad? | Slam N Jam” at 4:57 · listen ↗

  also reported by Get Up host, Locked On NBA host

• Podcast Hardwood Knocks host · Opinion · 47 h ago around the league

  The hosts say Aday Mara is impactful right away, is only OKC's third or fourth option at his spot, and could start for several teams. A chat question says he fell to 12th in the draft.

  “The 2026-27 NBA Overreactions Draft!” at 9:24 · listen ↗

  also reported by Derek Parker, Locked On Thunder

• Podcast Gil's Arena host · Analysis · Oct 23 around the league

  Aday Mara, OKC's draft pick, isn't playing much but is impactful when he's on the floor.

  “Sixers Erase A MASSIVE 29-Point Deficit, SGA Ends His Streak & Jaylen Brown Calls CAP On Tatum! Part 1” at 1:16:43 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Thunder host · Report · Oct 23

  The host says the fourth quarter started with Jalen Williams (J-Dub), McCain, Mitchell, Caruso and Aday Mara.

  “SGA 20 Point Streak ENDS | OKC Thunder Hold Nikola Jokic in Check in Win” at 5:58 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On NBA · 2 points · Oct 23
  • A host or guest, likely David Ramil, said OKC forced Jokic into outside shots and limited him at the rim with the combined size of Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and Aday Mara. at 24:02
  • The host said Thunder rookie Aday Mara got multiple offensive rebounds and a dunk. at 24:59

  “GAME NIGHT: How the Philadelphia 76ers Won Their Fans Over in a 29-Point Comeback” · listen ↗

• Podcast The Herd with Colin Cowherd host · Analysis · Oct 22 around the league

  The host says OKC 'went and got' Aday Mara as part of stockpiling bigs, and that even a few minutes of watching Mara shows it works.

  “THE HERD – HOUR 1 – LeBron and Lakers both won the divorce I Caleb Williams vs Drake Maye” at 5:45 · listen ↗

• Podcast The Athletic NBA Daily host · Analysis · Oct 23 around the league

  Hosts gave Jokic's on-off as minus 28 and said the Nuggets were eight points better with him off the court. They credit OKC's multiple bigs, Hartenstein, Aday Mara and Chet Holmgren, for bothering him.

  “The Thunder Are Inevitable + Philly Trusts the Process” at 5:59 · listen ↗

• Podcast Gil's Arena · 2 points · Oct 22
  • In response, Haywood (inferred) said OKC now has three seven-footers who can play: Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and Mara, whom they just drafted Aday Mara. He said OKC can play Chet–Hartenstein or Chet–Mara double-big lineups and normally starts Chet with Hartenstein. at 38:16
  • Haywood (inferred) predicted Aday Mara won't play 30 minutes a game, but that the 15–20 minutes he gives OKC as a backup big will be impactful. at 40:11

  “Luka's Snowtime Lakers COOK GSW, Ant-Man & Lamelo WENT CRAZY vs MIA & AD Goes VINTAGE In D.C.! Part 1” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Thunder · 5 points · Oct 22
  • Justin Martinez: The opener was the NBA debut for Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz. at 2:07
  • Rylan Stiles: The host said Aday Mara was the first big off the bench against Wimby (Wembanyama) in the opener. at 25:39
  • Rylan Stiles: The host thinks Aday Mara will play a real rotation role all season. at 26:09
  • Justin Martinez: Justin expects Mara to get some looks on Jokic but says matching Jokic's physicality is a question mark for him. He added that Mara handled the Wembanyama matchup well. at 27:31
  • Rylan Stiles: The host said Mara's consistent weakness, going back to college, summer league and preseason, is letting players into his body, which leads to fouls and foul trouble. He expects Jokic to exploit it. He also said Mara has improved a lot since summer league. at 28:55

  “How OKC Thunder Can IMPROVE After Season Opening Win | Are Nuggets Still Contenders” · listen ↗

• Podcast Gil's Arena host · Analysis · Oct 22 around the league

  The Thunder came in with a healthy squad and a big rookie addition. Danny says adding Aday Mara made them deeper at center: when Holmgren sits there is another big behind him, unlike the Spurs when Wembanyama sits.

  “Bron's Sixers SPOIL Knicks Ring Night, SGA Humbles Wemby & PG's Celtics Debut Sets The Arena Off! Part 2” at 3:53 · listen ↗

• Podcast The Athletic NBA Daily host · Analysis · Oct 22 around the league

  The Thunder have the bodies to throw at Wembanyama: Holmgren, Mara and Isaiah Hartenstein.

  “Wolves Make a Big Statement in Miami + Luka’s Showtime Era Begins” at 29:06 · listen ↗

• Podcast The Herd with Colin Cowherd host · Opinion · Oct 21 around the league

  Aday Mara did not play many minutes for OKC but looked very good in limited action.

  “THE HERD – HOUR 1 – LeBron & 76ers Win On Opening Night | Wemby’s Struggles vs OKC” at 27:03 · listen ↗

• Podcast Get Up host · Report · Oct 21 around the league

  Thunder rookie Aday Mara, listed at 7'3", blocked Wembanyama at the rim and ran the floor. A host calls him a Thunder 'Wemby stopper, air quotes potentially.'

  “Hour 2: Sixers Surprise, Dallas Dysfunction, Da Bear Necessities” at 25:06 · listen ↗

• Podcast Get Up host · Analysis · Oct 21 around the league

  A host's analysis: by adding Aday Mara, the Thunder 'plugged that hole directly' as a counter to Wembanyama.

  “Hour 1: King Spoils Rings, 4th and Whoa, Sacre Bleus” at 32:31 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Thunder · 6 points · Oct 21
  • Derek Parker: Derek's analysis: Aday Mara has earned the coaching staff's trust. His first-quarter minutes were not anticipated. at 7:24
  • Aday Mara's debut line: 7 points, 2 rebounds, a steal and a block in 12 minutes, finishing plus-nine. at 21:19
  • Rylan Stiles: Host: Aday Mara's role against Wemby was to keep him away from the rim and out on the perimeter. Mara contested a Wemby three and blocked a Wemby lob attempt. at 17:15
  • Derek Parker: Derek: Aday Mara sometimes got lost in drop coverage and was out of position, and fatigue seemed to hit him sooner than it did in preseason. at 19:06
  • Aday Mara's path: drafted 12th overall, a rough Summer League, then a summer of strength and conditioning work and a very special preseason. Derek says he looks like a totally different player than in Utah or Las Vegas. at 7:34
  • Derek Parker: Derek predicts Aday Mara will be much better than this and is probably the future of the Thunder frontcourt sooner rather than later. at 22:56

  “What OKC Thunder's BIG WIN vs. Spurs Means | Aday Mara's Strong Debut | Ajay Mitchell Struggles” · listen ↗

• Podcast Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective · 2 points · Oct 21 partly checked episode
  • Brian Windhorst: The Thunder used several bigs and wings on Wembanyama: Hartenstein, Holmgren, a little Alex Caruso, Aday Mara and Jalen Williams. at 44:12
  • A host or guest said Aday Mara didn't look good in summer league. He thinks the Thunder put him through the paces and got him in better condition. By training camp he looked much better, had an excellent preseason and earned the trust of Daigneault. The same speaker also said Mara "didn't look great in the preseason," which contradicts the excellent-preseason remark. at 54:39

  “Full Opening Night Reaction - What Stars Made Major Statements?” · listen ↗

• Podcast Hardwood Knocks host · Analysis · Oct 21 around the league

  A host sees Aday Mara as having strong preseason film. His playing time is a question given Hartenstein and Chet.

  “2026-27 NBA Awards Predictions AND Wild Card Picks” at 40:57 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On NBA · 2 points · Oct 21
  • John called the Thunder's defense the story of the game. OKC had 10 blocks, including a block on an alley-oop by Aday Mara. at 3:44
  • Kukiel said Aday Mara came off the bench, looked really good and held his own on both ends. at 8:30

  “Thunder SWAT Down Spurs, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren Make Opening STATEMENT” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Thunder host · Analysis · Oct 21

  Aday Mara was praised: he was part of the defense on Wembanyama, blocked a Wembanyama lob, and was first back down the floor, which the host says shows improved conditioning.

  “OKC Thunder BOUNCE BACK vs. Spurs | SGA is the BEST IN THE WORLD | Chet Holmgren GETS OFF THE MAT” at 37:41 · listen ↗

• Podcast It Is What It Is host · Analysis · Oct 20 around the league

  A host says OKC added Aday Mara. He describes him as 7'3" with strong post skills.

  “NBA Is Officially BACK, GM Survey Is WILD Disrespectful & Are The Knicks Being Slept On?” at 12:45 · listen ↗

• Podcast Rylan Stiles, Locked On Thunder · Analysis · Oct 20

  The host thinks Mark Daigneault values collecting data points. In his view, the opener may be the only chance to see Mara against Wembanyama before the playoffs.

  “OKC Thunder MUST WIN GAME vs Spurs” at 23:00 · listen ↗

• Podcast The Athletic NBA Daily host · Opinion · Oct 20 around the league

  A host picks Chet Holmgren as the player under the most pressure in the NBA. The host says he did not space the floor as a shooter for Shai, and that his midrange game disappeared against the Spurs. Another host wonders if Aday Mara, who looked good in preseason, adds to that pressure.

  “Final Considerations Ahead of NBA Opening Night” at 25:14 · listen ↗

• Podcast Hardwood Knocks · 4 points · Oct 19
  • Host says the second apron is coming for OKC next year, which makes hitting on Stirtz, Mara or Sorber more important. at 2:58
  • Open question: could Aday Mara take Jaylin Williams' spot in the big rotation behind Holmgren and Hartenstein? at 4:47
  • Mort would be very surprised if Mara, Topic, Sorber (to an extent) and Stirtz don't get minutes. at 7:20
  • Separately, Mara is said to be 7'3" without shoes. at 58:53

  “1 Big Question For Every NBA Teams In The Western Conference” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Thunder · 2 points · Oct 19
  • Justin Martinez (reported): Mara's former Spanish club Zaragoza is suing him Aday Mara. Justin Martinez at the Oklahoman reported it. The host says the club tried the same thing when Mara was at UCLA. name not confirmed at 29:59
  • Oklahoma City Thunder (team statement) (quoted): The host reads from the Thunder statement: Aday Mara played three years of NCAA basketball, so, as advised by the NBA, no clearance from the Spanish team is required for him to play in the NBA. at 30:55

  “BREAKING: Cason Wallace GETS PAID | Why Signing Him NOW was IMPORTANT for OKC Thunder” · listen ↗

• Story ESPN · Article · Oct 16

  Spanish team challenging Thunder rookie Aday Mara's NBA eligibility

  source ↗

• Podcast Locked On Thunder · 5 points · Oct 16
  • Rylan Stiles: Styles' opinion: in preseason Aday Mara has been flat-out good no matter which lineup is around him. at 4:51
  • Rylan Stiles: Styles says Aday Mara's summer league was bad and his conditioning was bad. Two weeks ago he doubted Mara could get on the floor regularly. at 5:26
  • Mazzotto's open question: how Mark Daigneault will set up the big-man rotation night to night, including who gets minutes, who plays together, and which big Mara settles in next to. at 8:03
  • Mazzotto thinks Jaylin Williams and Aday Mara complement each other. He calls J. Will a legitimate stretch big and says both pass well. at 10:38
  • Mazzotto doesn't expect to see much of a Aday Mara double-big lineup because it clogs things up. at 11:12

  “UNDERRATED Storyline Line for OKC Thunder You MUST Pay Attention To” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Thunder · 2 points · Oct 15
  • Nick Crain: Crane rejects social-media claims that Aday Mara is already better than Chet or will replace him. He says Mara has a high ceiling. at 6:49
  • Rylan Stiles: The host suggests that outlet passes from Aday Mara to McCain for transition threes could take OKC's secondary offense to a new level. at 12:23

  “WHO IS STOPPING the OKC Thunder? | Season Preview” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Thunder · 7 points · Oct 13
  • SGA found Aday Mara with a wraparound dump-off pass on a drive. The host credits Mara's comfort around the rim in traffic. at 11:04
  • Jalen Williams ("J-Dub") made explosive backdoor cuts on back-to-back possessions. Hartenstein found him once from the high post and Mara the next time. at 13:55
  • Jalen Williams got to an elbow one-on-one via a dribble handoff from Mara followed by a re-screen. The host argues Mara and Hartenstein are valuable screening tools for getting stars clean one-on-one looks. at 14:54
  • Mara played the second night of a back-to-back, coming off his most expansive role and minutes of the preseason the night before. He had 10 points on 4-of-5, 2-of-2 FT, a steal, 3 blocks and 4 rebounds in 18 minutes. at 21:36
  • The host says Mara defended pick-and-roll better than he expected, including against Haliburton, by taking away the paint and forcing skip passes. Mara also switched onto a ball handler and stopped Obi Toppin's drive. at 21:59
  • OKC played zone in the third quarter with Mara anchoring the middle. The host sees it as a possible way to hide defensive liabilities like McCain and Stirtz. at 23:30
  • The host credits Mara with improved conditioning: he was knocked down on a layup, got up, ran the floor and deterred a shot at the rim. at 24:19

  “Evaluating Cason Wallace Preseason | OKC Thunder STARS look READY | Aday Mara Does It AGAIN” · listen ↗

• X Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) · Report · Oct 13

  Obi Toppin calls for the ball, but it doesn’t fool rookie Aday Mara out of Michigan

  original post ↗

• Podcast Locked On Thunder · 3 points · Oct 13
  • Mara (matches Aday Mara) had 17 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 blocks in 33 minutes in the Atlanta preseason game. at 6:46
  • Mara played as a high-post playmaker. The host says teammates, including Brooks Barnhizer, missed easy chances he created, and that he could have had a triple-double. at 5:36
  • Host's view: Mara was not good at Summer League and only got somewhat better as it went on. at 4:35

  “Aday Mara Preseason Breakout is LEGIT | How to Evaluate Bennett Stirtz | Cason Wallace Update” · listen ↗

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