The 7-foot-3 Michigan center aims to bridge the gap from Spain to the NBA by seeking mentorship from Serge Ibaka and Alex Abrines to master the Thunder way.
The Oklahoma City Thunder used the No. 12 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft to select 7-foot-3 Michigan center Aday Mara.
With Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren already anchoring the frontcourt, Mara isn't expected to step into a starting role right away. Still, he joins one of the NBA's most talented rosters and will have an opportunity to develop in an ideal situation.
Thunder fans are already excited about Mara's potential, with many viewing him as a possible long-term answer to Victor Wembanyama.
During his introductory press conference, Mara revealed he wants to speak with two former Thunder players, Alex Abrines and Serge Ibaka, according to Clemente Almanza. The connection is a natural one, as all three share Spanish roots, and Mara hopes to lean on their experiences as he begins his NBA career.
"I haven't talked to them, but I will soon," Mara said. "I want to know a lot more about the city and about the people, everything. So far, I love the city. I love the way it is. I think it fits really well with the kind of person I am. Yeah, I definitely need to talk with Abrines and maybe Ibaka, so yeah."
While Ibaka and Abrines experienced very different levels of success in Oklahoma City, both make plenty of sense as mentors for Mara.
Ibaka remains one of the greatest defensive players in Thunder history. During his nine seasons with the franchise, he established himself as one of the NBA's premier shot blockers, earning three All-Defensive First Team selections while helping lead Oklahoma City to the 2012 NBA Finals.
His ability to protect the rim, play alongside another star big man and embrace his role on a championship contender gives him a unique perspective that Mara can benefit from as he begins his own Thunder journey.
Abrines, meanwhile, never developed into the player many hoped he would become after arriving from Spain. Still, he carved out a role as a floor-spacing wing and fan favorite before personal reasons led to his departure from the NBA.
Like Mara, Abrines made the difficult transition from Spain to Oklahoma City at a young age, making him an ideal person to lean on for advice about adjusting both on and off the court.
It's hard not to like Mara's approach here. Rather than trying to figure everything out on his own, he's already looking to connect with players who understand both the Thunder organization and the challenges that come with making the leap from Spain to the NBA.
More than anyone, a conversation with Ibaka could prove invaluable. If Mara can absorb even a fraction of the defensive instincts, professionalism and work ethic that made Ibaka a Thunder icon, he'll be off to an excellent start in Oklahoma City.
