Thunder coach praises Aday Mara's all-around performance in preseason

Mark Daigneault, coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, expressed admiration for Aday Mara, the 12th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, following his impressive early performances in the preseason. Mara, a 7-foot player from Spain, has not missed a shot in his first two games, averaging 17 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and two blocks. His ability as a lob threat and skill in rebounding have stood out, contributing to his team's efforts in transition play. Daigneault highlighted Mara's versatility on both ends of the floor, forecasting a significant role for him as the regular season approaches.

• 1:54 AMYahoo Sports — Thunder coach Mark Daigneault raves about Aday Mara's two way impact