We continue to examine members of the Wolverines who look like Sacramento fits. Including impressive big Aday Mara.
The Sacramento Kings shouldn't just be fixated on Elliot Cadeau when it comes to the national champs.
Yes, the Michigan guard took over scoring wise with dropping 19 points on a feisty UConn team. Cadeau grabbed the attention of NBA scouts with his shooting consistency and ability to run the Wolverines' offense.
But Michigan would've never made its title run without Aday Mara down low.
Mara will draw lots of intrigue off his impressive 7-foot-3 height alone. But time to look outside of size on why general manager Scott Perry, head coach Doug Christie and the Kings should look closely at him.
Mara protects the rim
No one denied layups and other two-point opportunities better than Mara.
Obviously the height hands him the advantage. But Mara still showed strong eye discipline and timing on jumps to deliver blocks at a high rate.
Opponents only attempted 20% of their attempts under the rim against Mara per CBB analytical stats. That number shows the respect Mara commanded on the floor.
Sacramento struggled at defending the rim throughout the season. Mara can come in and change the fortunes here. But where else can Mara boost the Kings?
Mara an effective offensive presence here
Mara dishes out passes like a point guard inside the paint.
A seven-footer who's smart with distributing the ball is more dangerous than fans think. It hands teams like the Kings a facilitator who can perform the dirty work.
He's just as effective in transition and known when to lob the ball.
He's more than a passer inside, though. He's a 20-point threat too, even on a team featuring no shortage of scoring options.
Best game(s) that shows Mara at his best
The Saturday onslaught of Arizona is the perfect place to start when scrutinizing Mara.
He pounded the Wildcats with 26 points and came within one rebound of a double-double. Mara also swatted two baskets against what was supposed to be a loaded 'Zona team.
Mara especially looked damaging in the final three games of the Big Ten Tournament; dropping 17, 16 and 14 on Ohio State, Wisconsin and Purdue in that order.
Can Kings grab Mara?
Sacramento will need to hope he falls to the second round.
But they also must hope that Mara declares, as he's eligible to return to the champs. He'll garner Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award recognition if he runs it back at Ann Arbor.
If he does come out, he's a projected late first rounder at best. But he can instantly change the Kings' defensive fortunes.
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