Aday Mara Wiki, Age, Height, Net Worth 2026

Aday Mara is a Spanish professional basketball player who plays center for the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 7-foot-3 big man was selected 12th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft after a breakout season at the University of Michigan, where he anchored the Wolverines to the 2026 national championship and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. His blend of size, rim protection, soft hands and passing touch has made him one of the most talked-about rookies of the 2026 class — and a contract dispute with his former Spanish club, which broke into the open days before his expected debut on October 20 against the San Antonio Spurs, has kept him in the headlines.

Early Life and Education

Aday Mara Gómez was born on 7 April 2005 in Zaragoza, Spain, where he was raised. He comes from a deeply athletic family: his father, Francisco Javier Mara, played professional basketball for CB Zaragoza in the late 1980s, and his mother, Angélica “Geli” Gómez, represented Spain as a volleyball international.

Mara developed in the youth system of Basket Zaragoza, making his first-team debut in 2021 at just 16 and spending loan spells with lower-tier Spanish sides. His promise was formally recognized in 2023 with a place on the ACB All-Young Players Team. He also represented Spain at youth level, winning a medal at the 2022 FIBA Under-17 World Cup and competing at the 2023 FIBA Under-18 EuroBasket.

Career

Mara crossed the Atlantic in 2023 to play college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. His first two seasons in Westwood were quiet, with limited minutes and modest production. Everything changed when he transferred to the University of Michigan for the 2025-26 season. Under coach Dusty May, Mara flourished as the Wolverines’ anchor: scouting reports credit him with averaging 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.6 blocks per game while shooting nearly 67 percent from the field. He set a Michigan single-season record with 103 blocks, earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and third-team All-Big Ten honors, and became the first Spanish male player ever to win an NCAA national championship when Michigan cut down the nets in April 2026.

Oklahoma City selected him 12th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft in June, adding him to a frontcourt that already features Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. Through his first five preseason appearances he averaged 13.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.4 blocks, according to figures reported by BasketNews — including a 22-point outing against the Milwaukee Bucks on October 7, in which he made all 10 of his field-goal attempts. He followed that with a statement game against the Atlanta Hawks on October 12: 17 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and five blocks, per RotoWire, as the Thunder ran stretches of their offense through him.

Mara’s game is built around his 7-foot-3 frame, a reported 7-foot-6 wingspan and unusual feel for a player his size: efficient finishing at the rim, shot-blocking in volume, and creative passing for a center. Draft analysts flagged areas to polish — a limited outside shot, free-throw shooting and defending quicker players in space — but his steady improvement across Spain, UCLA and Michigan is a major part of his appeal.

Contract Dispute with Basket Zaragoza

On October 16, 2026, the club said it considers Mara to be under contract for the 2026-27 season and would formally oppose any request for his international transfer clearance, per statements reported by RTVE, Eurohoops and Heraldo de Aragón. It said it had informed the Spanish federation, FIBA, the NBA and the Thunder, and was prepared to take legal action to protect its contractual rights.

The Thunder pushed back. A team spokesperson said Mara had “last played three years of NCAA college basketball and therefore, as advised by the NBA, no clearance from the Spanish team is required for him to play in the NBA.” The standoff traces back to 2023, when Zaragoza contested his departure for UCLA; the NCAA ruled in the player’s favor. As of publication, no governing body has ruled Mara ineligible, and he is expected to make his regular-season debut against the San Antonio Spurs on October 20. The facts above reflect each side’s stated position; the outcome of any legal action is yet to be determined.

Personal Life

Mara keeps his private life out of the spotlight; little has been reported about his relationships. He is represented by agents Steven Heumann and Aaron Mintz, per RealGM’s contract database. The son of two former athletes, he grew up immersed in sport — a pedigree that has carried him from Zaragoza’s youth teams to the brink of the NBA.

Aday Mara Net Worth 2026

There is no widely published, reliable estimate of Aday Mara’s net worth. As the No. 12 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, he signed a standard NBA rookie-scale contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder — but the financial details have not been publicly disclosed. His career earnings so far consist of that rookie deal, since NCAA players earn no professional salary; endorsement income has not been publicly reported. Any specific dollar figure circulating online should be treated as unverified.

FAQ

What is Aday Mara’s age?

Aday Mara was born on 7 April 2005, which makes him 21 years old as of October 2026.

How tall is Aday Mara?

Aday Mara is 7 feet 3 inches (221 cm) tall and is listed at 255 pounds (116 kg) on his official profiles.

Which team drafted Aday Mara?

The Oklahoma City Thunder selected Aday Mara 12th overall in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft. He wears No. 15 for the Thunder.

Did Aday Mara win an NCAA championship?

Yes. After two quiet seasons at UCLA, he transferred to Michigan for 2025-26, helped the Wolverines win the 2026 national championship — the first Spanish male player to do so — and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

Why is Basket Zaragoza disputing Aday Mara’s NBA move?

Zaragoza says Mara remains under contract through 2026-27 and will oppose any request for international transfer clearance. The Thunder says the NBA has advised no clearance is needed after his three NCAA seasons.

When does Aday Mara make his NBA debut?

Mara is expected to make his regular-season NBA debut for the Oklahoma City Thunder against the San Antonio Spurs on October 20, 2026.

For more rising athlete profiles, see the Yu Zidi biography and the Puripol Boonson biography. The Learner Tien biography covers another 2026 breakout star.