How on Earth were the UCLA Bruins not giving Aday Mara minutes last year? The 7’3” center got just 13.0 minutes per game for UCLA last year, left for the Michigan Wolverines in the transfer portal, and has helped lead Michigan to the Sweet 16.
Mara and the Wolverines will face Alabama on Friday for a spot in the Elite Eight. Mara won the Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Year, averaging 2.7 blocks and 6.9 rebounds per game this season. He’s provided for the Michigan offense too, putting up 12.0 points per game on 67.4% shooting from the field.
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Even with the success in the starting lineup this year, Mara has still averaged just 23.1 minutes per game. With Mara likely headed to the NBA in the future, perhaps it’s wise for the abnormally tall center to play moderate fewer minutes than you might expect.
After Michigan picked up NCAA tournament wins over Howard and Saint Louis, Mara was named as the No. 5 transfer in the tournament by the USA TODAY’s Austin Cartwright.
“Former UCLA center Aday Mara has been a huge playmaker for the Wolverines alongside Lendeborg in 2025-26,” Cartwright said. “The 7-foot-3 big man is surprisingly skilled for his size, averaging 2.5 assists per game this season along with 12 points and 6.9 rebounds on 67.5% shooting percentage. Mara mostly came off the bench for UCLA in his two seasons there, showing the transfer was well worth it as he projects to be an NBA first-round pick in 2026.”
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: USA TODAY calls Aday Mara a top transfer in the NCAA tournament
