UCLA transfer center Aday Mara commits to Michigan

Former UCLA center Aday Mara has committed to Michigan, via the NCAA Transfer Portal, according to On3’s Joe Tipton. Mara spent two seasons at UCLA.

Mara made 33 appearances and one start for the Bruins this season. He averaged 6.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 59% from the field. Mara hasn’t attempted a 3-pointer in his collegiate career.

The 7-foot-3 sophomore had his best performance of the season in UCLA’s win over Wisconsin on Jan. 21. In the victory, Mara erupted for 22 points, five rebounds and two blocks on perfect 7-7 shooting from the floor.

Mara made 28 appearances and eight starts during his freshman season. He averaged just 3.5 points in 9.5 minutes per game after eventually receiving eligibility from the NCAA.

Mara wasn’t granted immediate eligibility after coming to UCLA from his home country, Spain. Mara attended IES El Picarral while living in Zaragoza, Spain. In the summer of 2023, Mara averaged 14.0 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.7 blocks per game for Spain through seven games at the FIBA U18 European Championships.

Aday Mara is only Michigan’s latest addition via the transfer portal. The Wolverines currently boast the No. 2 transfer class, according to On3’s 2025 Team Transfer Portal Rankings.

Mara is joined by standouts such as Elliot Cadeau (North Carolina), Morez Johnson (Illinois) and Yaxel Lendeborg (UAB). The latter of the three was the No. 1 player in the transfer portal at the time of his commitment to Michigan.

Alas, Michigan has suffered several losses as well. Notably, Wolverines starting guard Tre Donaldson and former four-star prospect Justin Pippen entered the portal this offseason.

Nonetheless, with Michigan’s transfer portal additions, head coach Dusty May and Co. should be one of the highest-ranked teams in the country entering next season. After all, nobody is doubting May’s coaching ability after he led the Wolverines to the Sweet Sixteen this past season.

It was May’s first year at the helm of the program. The 48-year-old head coach can’t wait to build on the foundation he laid this past season.

“Now my mind shifts to next season immediately,” May said after Michigan’s season-ending loss. “What’s it going to look like? How do we replicate the best of this season? And how do we fix some things? … It was unique for us for those guys to get some really quality attention and press and give us another kind of, I guess, subculture or identity going forward.”

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.