NBA draft prospect Aday Mara: 'These days will change my life completely'

Spanish center Aday Mara is on the cusp of a life-changing moment as he anticipates the NBA draft, where he is widely expected to be selected in the first round. "These days are going to change my life completely," Mara told EFE, reflecting on the significance of the upcoming event. The 21-year-old, standing at 221 centimeters, is trying to consciously enjoy every moment with his parents by his side, acknowledging that the hard work has been done and now it's time to wait, enjoy, and celebrate.

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These days are going to change my life completely.

The NBA draft ceremony is set to take place at the Barclays Center in New York. While Mara has no specific team preference, he expressed a desire to join a franchise that views him as a long-term project, offers him time to adapt to the league, and provides opportunities for improvement. "I don't know where I'm going to fall. I have no preference, just a team that wants to work with me, sees me as a project, and gives me time to adapt to the league and improve. Hopefully, it will be a good place," he stated.

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I don't know where I'm going to fall. I have no preference, just a team that wants to work with me, sees me as a project, and gives me time to adapt to the league and improve. Hopefully, it will be a good place.

Mara believes that American audiences have yet to see his full potential, noting that he has been able to showcase more of his abilities this past season, where he felt he had a bit more freedom. Analysts have drawn comparisons between Mara and San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, both towering players over 220 centimeters. "Being compared to players like Wembanyama is incredible," Mara commented, describing his defensive game as focused on protecting the rim, blocking shots, and deterring opponents from entering the paint.

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Being compared to players like Wembanyama is incredible. I try to be a good defender, a center who helps with rim protection, blocking shots and scaring people from entering the paint and ending up taking bad shots from outside.

On offense, Mara sees himself as a player who connects with the team, facilitates ball movement, and operates effectively from both the high and low post to find open teammates. When asked about Spanish players he resembles, he cited Marc Gasol over Pau Gasol, while also aiming to adopt their mental approach to their early years in the league. Mara confirmed he has not trained with the Brooklyn Nets, coached by fellow Catalan Jordi Fernández, though they did share a meal.

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People in the United States have not yet seen everything I can do. There are things I did in Spain that I stopped doing these years here. Now they are realizing what I can contribute, especially this season when I've had a bit more freedom.