NCAA clears UCLA freshman Aday Mara for competition

UCLA has its paint presence. On Friday, ESPN’s Jeff Borzello provided a massive update on UCLA freshman Aday Mara’s eligibility.

“UCLA freshman Aday Mara has been cleared for competition by the NCAA, per the school,” Borzello wrote on Twitter.

In August, UCLA received a signed grant-in-aid from Aday Mara. The 7-foot-3 center brings quite a resumé to the Bruins. Mara was pivotal for Spain in this summer, averaging 14.0 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.7 blocks in seven games at the FIBA U18 European Championships, hosted in Serbia.

Mara’s transition to UCLA wasn’t a smooth process. Basket Zaragoza, Mara’s Spanish club team, claimed his decision to join UCLA was a breach of contract. The team sued Mara in a Spanish court for breach of contract, seeking roughly $608,000 as an exit fee.

Nonetheless, UCLA fought for Mara. Evidently, its punches landed. Head coach Mick Cronin is thrilled to add the lengthy Spaniard to the Bruins.

“We are excited to announce the addition of Aday to UCLA,” Cronin said in August. “Throughout this process with Aday, he and his family have stood firm on one thing – that they want a great education for Aday, and to see him grow as a young man at UCLA. He has tremendous size and skill and has developed a great understanding of the game of basketball.

“He’s a humble young man with great parents, and he’s blessed to stand at 7-foot-3 with such talent and a strong work ethic. Aday has great FIBA experience, having played within the Spanish basketball federation program while winning awards and championships at different levels. We can’t wait to have him here with us in Westwood.”

The future of UCLA

Insiders don’t expect Mara to be with the Bruins for long. NBA Draft Room listed Mara as pick No. 9 in its 2024 NBA Draft board. Cronin is simply thankful to have the chance to utilize Mara’s talents at all.

“UCLA Athletics, Aday Mara and his family would like to thank the NCAA, his attorney Stu Brown and UCLA Senior Associate Athletic Director Erin Adkins for their work and cooperation during this process,” Cronin wrote following the NCAA’s decision.

It is a new era at UCLA this season. With players like Tyger Campbell, Jaime Jacquez and Amari Bailey gone, the Bruins will have a new look in the 2023-24 campaign. Mara will join six other true freshmen in the hunt for a successful season.