Michigan junior Aday Mara is headed to the NBA Draft while maintaining his collegiate eligibility, per multiple reports.
The 7-foot-3 big man announced his intentions today after one season at Michigan. He averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game for the Wolverines in 2025-26, helping to a National Championship and Big Ten Championship.
Mara, like Johnson, is maintaining his collegiate eligibility, which means he has until May 27th — ten days after the NBA Draft Combine — to withdraw from the draft. The expectation is that he’ll keep his name in the draft and forgo his remaining eligibility.
Mara is projected by most outlets as a top-20 pick in this year’s draft and could even reach the lottery. He was instrumental in anchoring the No. 1 defense in college basketball.
Mara is the seventh departure from May’s second team in Ann Arbor.
Yaxel Lendeborg, Will Tschetter, Nimari Burnett and Roddy Gayle Jr. are out of eligibility, while Winters Grady and Malick Kordel transferred to Minnesota. Morez Johnson Jr. also declared for the NBA Draft.
The Wolverines have also already landed a commitment from Tennessee big man JP Estrella, Cincinnati big man Moustapha Thiam and LSU forward Jalen Reed.
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Actualelguapo
Real "there are decades when nothing happens and hours when decades happen” afternoon.
O.J_the_Bouvier
Goodbye, golden Spaniard.
adamsmit86
So long, Big Goof
Spicyc
Really flourished here! Go be great
giveansk1
From Cronin not speaking with him last year to the most dominant defensive player in college basketball and National Champion. Now 1st round draft pick. Good luck to him.