Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Aday Mara has already made enough of an impression this offseason to draw a pointed endorsement from head coach Mark Daigneault.
Speaking before the Thunder’s preseason opener against the New Orleans Pelicans, Daigneault said Mara has taken a noticeable step forward since summer league, calling the 7-foot-3 big man the team’s biggest offseason riser. Mara, selected 12th overall in this year’s draft, is expected to bring defensive pop to Oklahoma City right away.
Mark Daigneault on Aday Mara: “I think he made significant progress from summer league to camp.” pic.twitter.com/i4LG9vIGql
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 6, 2026
“He made significant progress from summer league to camp. As I mentioned yesterday, summer league is kind of an out-of-context data point.
It's a data point, nonetheless, but it's right after the draft,” Daigneault said. “Those guys have just gone through a great grueling draft process.
It's high-stress and not optimal for performance, and when you're 7'3, that makes it even more challenging. I think getting into the rhythm of conditioning and predictable workouts - he was in Spain a lot of the time - but he was working really hard.
“And he came into camp in really good shape, and pretty primed up. Not 10 out of 10, but nobody does, but certainly pretty strong coming from summer league.
That's shown up on both ends of the floor. His impact kind of speaks for itself.
He's a high-impact player because of the rim protection, the mobility, the size, and offensively, the rolling, and the hands. So, that's all there.
And when you add the conditioning to that, it's pretty good. So, I'm excited to see him in these preseason games for sure,” Daigneault concluded.
Mara spent part of the offseason with Spain’s men’s national basketball team and also played for the Thunder in summer league. Oklahoma City will host New Orleans in Tusla on Tuesday.
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