July 5, 2026, 1:00 p.m. CT
An oasis of summer’s dry time, the NBA Summer League is a jam-packed couple of weeks where we get to see teams’ new toys played with. The Oklahoma City Thunder were gifted another lottery pick. In this case, they went with Aday Mara at the No. 12 pick of the 2026 NBA draft.
Novelty will surround Mara for a while. Just from his 7-foot-3 size. Only Victor Wembanyama can say he can look down on the 21-year-old. His sheer size alone will attract eyeballs. He provides a new element on both sides of the court for the Thunder.
The Thunder finally saw Mara suit up in their 111-74 Summer League loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. He finished with 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting, four assists and three rebounds.
Here’s what the Thunder had to say about playing with Mara for the first time. It’s going to take a minute to adjust to playing with such a gigantic player. Even by NBA players’ standards:
Aday Mara
On his Summer League debut: “It was different. I think the physicality, you can feel that. But I think it’s going to be a process of just getting used to. For me, it was my first game since the championship game, so it’s going to take a little bit to adjust. But it was great.”
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On his teammates getting used to him: “It’s for everyone. It’s for me, too. For example, I’m trying to tell them on the defensive side just everything that goes into the paint, just let me get it. We’re still trying to figure out that part. Same thing with lobs. You see me down there, you can just throw it and I’ll catch it. Things like that.”
On his 3-point shot: “I feel like these games and practices are to see or feel like things you can do or haven’t done in college or before. Just try to see if you can do it here and try to improve every day. I’m just using these games to get better as a player, do different things and just adapt to the game and do all of those things.”
On his playmaking: “That’s another thing I think they got to get used to. Telling them that sometimes, you might be outside in the 3-point line. I may not be looking at you, but I’m going to pass it where I can see you. I think a couple of days ago at practice, someone cut and I passed it to them behind the back. He didn’t expect it. It was a surprise for him.”
Brooks Barnhizer
On playing with Mara: “Super unique. I think there were a couple of plays today where they hedge the ball screen and he’s able to slip, he’s the biggest target. Just kinda throw it up. I think, obviously, we have to get used to playing like that. When we’re playing on the Thunder and things like that, you usually guard the ball. You gotta really touch up on coming off pick-and-roll and throwing it to bigs. Things like that. It’s really cool to work on it, in case you’re in a position to do it in a real game. We gotta go up. It can’t go down. Can’t use bounce passes or things like that. He’s just the biggest target. He’s going to go up there and get it.”
Daniel Dixon
On Mara’s Summer League: “He’s done a great job since he’s gotten to camp. I think he’s picking up on things really quickly. He’s doing exactly what every other guy we’re asking of doing. In terms of taking it one day at a time. He’s focusing on the right things. Today, I thought he was good in terms of his approach. He’s trying to build on it just like every single guy we have.”
On Mara’s passing: “He’s done a good job. It’s really impressive. Especially when you come into an NBA game and make those passes. It’s always a positive thing. We talk about ball movement. He did a good job on that, as the other guys did as well. We’re always trying to create the best shot on every possession. He did a good job contributing to that.”