Aday Mara Shines as Michigan’s Dominant Center

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Junior center Aday Mara is making his mark on the No. 6 Michigan men’s basketball team this season. Standing at 7-foot-3 with a 7-foot-6 wingspan, Mara has stepped up as the team’s true center, especially after the departures of Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf.

The Wolverines turned to the transfer portal to strengthen their frontcourt, adding forwards Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. However, neither provided the traditional center presence that Michigan needed until Mara joined the team.

Mara showcased his skills in recent exhibition games, particularly during a matchup against Oakland. He played wisely in the paint, where he scored several easy baskets, including back-to-back dunks and a smooth layup over star Oakland forward Tuburu Naivaluru. His impressive performance added up to 12 points in just 20 minutes, demonstrating a strong shooting percentage of 67%.

Wolverines assistant coach Mike Boynton praised Mara’s abilities, highlighting his speed and passing skills. “Aday is such a good runner,” Boynton said on Sept. 30 at Michigan Media Day. “He’s so good around the rim and he’s a great passer on the perimeter.”

Defensively, Mara has been a force as well, leading the game against Oakland with five blocks and 11 defensive rebounds. However, he is working to improve his perimeter defense, as he found himself challenged against quicker players like Naivaluru.

“I can do much, much better,” Mara said after the game, acknowledging his need to improve against outside shooters. His upcoming matchup against Wake Forest, who features 6-foot-7 forward Tre’Von Spillers, will test these defensive adjustments further.

Despite some areas for growth, Mara’s performances have established him as a key player for Michigan, fulfilling his role as both a scorer and rim protector.