Overview
- The Oklahoma City Thunder selected Aday Mara at No. 12 in the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, adding a 7-foot-3 center with rare length to their frontcourt.
- Mara measured a 7-foot-6 wingspan and a 9-foot-9 standing reach at the combine and finished last season at Michigan averaging 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks while winning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
- OKC also traded with Memphis to acquire Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz at No. 16, signaling a dual approach to bolster both interior defense and playmaking depth.
- Mara publicly accepted the 'Wemby stopper' tag and said he would try that matchup if the coach asks, but analysts cautioned his perimeter quickness and lack of shooting could limit early minutes.
- The pick is expected to be a standard four-year rookie-scale signing and reshapes rotation questions in Oklahoma City by creating options to move Chet Holmgren toward power forward and to manage Isaiah Hartenstein’s contract outlook.