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Michigan adds 7-footer from Big Ten program to top-rated transfer class, per report
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Dusty May has reshaped the roster for Michigan coming out of a smashing success in his first season in Ann Arbor. On Friday, he reportedly picked up another key piece with another player from the Big Ten.
According to Joe Tipton with On3 Sports, former UCLA big man Aday Mara has committed to the Wolverines for the 2025-26 season, giving Michigan a 4th transfer commitment this cycle. Originally from Spain, the 7-foot-3 Mara showed flashes this past season as a sophomore for Mick Cronin.
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During his sophomore campaign, Mara averaged 13.1 minutes played in 33 appearances while averaging 6.4 points, 4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks while shooting 59% from the floor. He scored a career-high 22 points in a win over Wisconsin and produced 10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 5 blocks in an NCAA Tournament win over Utah State.
Mara is the 3rd big man Michigan has added via the transfer portal this offseason, joining Yaxel Lendeborg (UAB) and Morez Johnson Jr. (Illinois). Elliot Cadeau, a point guard from North Carolina, is the 4th piece of the highest-rated transfer class in the country, per 247 Sports.
The addition of Mara also gives Michigan some stability pending some potential NBA Draft decisions. Lendeborg is also testing the NBA Draft waters, as is Danny Wolf, and the departure of one — or both — would have the Wolverines in a hole after utilizing a 2-big system with Wolf and Vladislav Goldin for much of this season.
For now, Mara is a great insurance plan, and he could become a key contributor sooner as opposed to later.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.