Will former UCLA Bruin Aday Mara just not miss in the NBA? The Oklahoma City Thunder rookie is two games into the NBA preseason and Mara has yet to miss a single shot.
Mara made his NBA preseason debut on Tuesday against the New Orleans Pelicans, where he went 5-5 from the field and a tidy 2-2 from the free throw line. Mara backed it up with another standout performance on Wednesday, going 10-10 from the floor. Mara did miss on Wednesday from the free throw line, going just 2-3 from the free throw line.
It hasn’t only been Mara’s efficiency either, he’s posted four blocks and 15 rebounds in just 43 total minutes of preseason action.
Aday Mara through two preseason games: 34 PTS 15 REB 4 BLK 15-15 FG Thunder are +30 in his 43 minutes. pic.twitter.com/6d7YOnii7B
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) October 8, 2026
Everything seems to be going Mara’s way since leaving Mick Cronin and UCLA. Mara played two seasons with the Bruins but only made nine starts in 61 games with UCLA, as the five-star recruit struggled to get established in Cronin’s rotation.
Mara ultimately split for the Michigan Wolverines, where things clicked near instantly. Mara helped the Wolverines win a national title, shooting a career-best 66.8% from the field and posted 2.6 blocks, both of which were the best marks in the Big Ten Conference.
The success with Michigan led to Mara being selected with the 12th overall pick by the Thunder, immediately placing the 7’3” center on a team with championship aspirations. Mara will probably end up missing a shot in the NBA eventually but it’s eye-opening how great he’s been since leaving UCLA.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Former Bruin Aday Mara has yet to miss through two NBA preseason games
