Overview
- The Oklahoma City Thunder selected Michigan center Aday Mara at No. 12 and acquired Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz at No. 16 in a draft-night move on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
- Mara is a 7-foot-3, roughly 260-pound prospect with a 7-foot-6 wingspan and a 9-foot-9 standing reach who won a national title and was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
- In his final college season Mara averaged about 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks while shooting roughly 66.8 percent, numbers scouts cite as evidence of his rim-protecting upside.
- The Thunder view Mara as a developmental backup who can provide frontcourt insurance behind Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein and who could influence the team’s choice on Hartenstein’s club option.
- Mara told reporters he is excited to test himself against Victor Wembanyama and the pick signals OKC’s intent to use youth, size and team-controlled contracts to remain competitive in the West.