Aday Mara: Age, Height, Hometown, College Stats and Ethnicity

Aday Mara is a Spanish basketball player known for his exceptional height, interior scoring and shot-blocking ability. Born in Zaragoza, Spain, he developed his game in European basketball before joining the UCLA Bruins and later transferring to the Michigan Wolverines. His strong junior season helped Michigan win the 2026 NCAA championship, while his defensive performances earned him Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Mara was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 12th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. However, a dispute over his contractual rights with Spanish club Basket Zaragoza has created uncertainty about his immediate NBA playing status.

Aday Mara: Quick Profile

How old is Aday Mara?

Aday Mara was born on April 7, 2005, in Zaragoza, Spain. As of October 2026, he is 21 years old. He entered American college basketball as a highly regarded international prospect and continued developing his skills during his three NCAA seasons.

His age is notable because he has already gained experience in European professional basketball, college competition and international youth tournaments. Those experiences helped him develop into a defensive center with considerable potential.

How tall is Aday Mara?

Aday Mara is listed at 7 feet 3 inches (221 cm) on Michigan’s official roster and the NBA’s draft profile. His height gives him a significant advantage around the basket, particularly when protecting the rim, contesting shots and securing rebounds.

His physical presence is only one part of his game. Mara has also demonstrated passing ability and efficient finishing near the rim, making him more than a traditional shot-blocking center.

Where is Aday Mara from?

Aday Mara is from Zaragoza, a city in northeastern Spain. He developed through local basketball programs before playing for Basket Zaragoza, where his progress attracted attention from international scouts.

He later moved to the United States to play college basketball. His first two seasons were with the UCLA Bruins, after which he transferred to Michigan for the 2025–26 season.

The move proved important for his career. At Michigan, Mara received a larger role and became a key defensive presence during the team’s championship-winning campaign.

Aday Mara college stats

Mara played college basketball for UCLA and Michigan. His most productive NCAA season came in 2025–26, when he helped Michigan win the national championship.

His final college-season numbers show his improvement as a scorer, rebounder and passer.

What made Mara successful at Michigan?

Mara’s biggest impact came on defense. He led the Big Ten in blocks per game and recorded 103 blocks during the 2025–26 season, setting a Michigan single-season record. His timing and reach made it difficult for opponents to finish around the basket.

Offensively, he shot 66.8% from the field and averaged 12.1 points per game. He also contributed 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per contest, showing that he could help his team in several areas.

His performances earned him Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year recognition and a place on the All-Big Ten Third Team. He also helped the Wolverines capture the NCAA championship in April 2026.

What is Aday Mara’s ethnicity?

Aday Mara is Spanish and was born and raised in Zaragoza, Spain. His publicly documented background is closely connected to Spanish basketball through his family and early development. However, reliable public sources do not establish a more specific ethnic ancestry, so it would be inaccurate to assign him an ethnicity beyond what is documented.

His parents also have athletic backgrounds. His father, Javier Mara, played professional basketball in Spain, while his mother, Gely Gómez, represented Spain in volleyball. Their sporting experience helped shape the environment in which Mara developed his interest in competitive sports.

Is Aday Mara joining the NBA?

The Oklahoma City Thunder selected Mara with the 12th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. However, his immediate playing status has been complicated by a contractual dispute involving his former Spanish club, Basket Zaragoza.

In an October 16, 2026, report, Reuters said Basket Zaragoza claimed Mara remained under contract for the 2026–27 season and argued that an international transfer agreement was necessary. The Thunder maintained that his three years of NCAA basketball meant additional clearance was not required.

Consequently, although Mara was drafted by Oklahoma City, his contractual situation remains an important factor in determining when he can play in the NBA.

Frequently asked questions

1. How old is Aday Mara in 2026?

Aday Mara is 21 years old. He was born on April 7, 2005.

2. How tall is Aday Mara?

He is listed at 7 feet 3 inches (221 cm) on Michigan’s official roster and the NBA draft profile.

3. Where was Aday Mara born?

He was born in Zaragoza, Spain, where he began his basketball development.

4. What were Aday Mara’s college stats?

During the 2025–26 season at Michigan, he averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.6 blocks per game.

5. What is Aday Mara’s ethnicity and nationality?

Mara is Spanish by nationality. More specific details about his ethnic ancestry are not firmly established in reliable public sources.

6. Which NBA team drafted Aday Mara?

The Oklahoma City Thunder selected him 12th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft. A contractual dispute with Basket Zaragoza has affected the immediate outlook for his NBA participation.

Conclusion

Aday Mara’s age, height, hometown, college statistics and background help explain why he has attracted attention in basketball. The 21-year-old Spanish center stands 7 feet 3 inches tall and developed from a Zaragoza prospect into an NCAA champion with Michigan. His defensive ability, rebounding and efficient scoring earned him major college honors. Although Oklahoma City drafted him in 2026, the dispute over his Spanish club contract remains a key issue to watch as his professional career progresses.