Michigan Star Mara Fires Shot at UCLA: 'Didn't Have Chance to Show What I Could Do'

Aday Mara dominates Arizona in Final Four, calls out limited role at former school UCLA

Apr. 5, 2026 at 5:04am

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Michigan's 7-foot-3 Spanish center Aday Mara had a career-best performance in the Final Four, scoring 26 points and grabbing 9 rebounds to lead the Wolverines to a blowout win over Arizona. After the game, Mara fired a shot at his former school UCLA, where he says he didn't have the opportunity to showcase his full abilities over the past two seasons.

Why it matters

Mara's comments shed light on the challenges some highly touted international recruits can face in adjusting to the NCAA game, as well as the difficult decisions they sometimes have to make in transferring to find a better fit. His dominant performance also highlights Michigan's emergence as a national title contender this season.

The details

Mara transferred to Michigan this season after two years at UCLA, where he averaged just 3.5 points and 1.9 rebounds as a freshman, and 6.4 points and 4.0 rebounds as a sophomore. Mara said he felt he was playing well in practice at UCLA but never got the chance to show what he could do in games, often asking to come out because he was expending so much energy in limited minutes. At Michigan, Mara has blossomed, putting up career-best numbers and helping the Wolverines reach the national championship game.

  • Mara had a career-high 26 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists in Michigan's 91-73 win over Arizona in the Final Four on April 5, 2026.
  • Michigan will face UConn in the national championship game on April 7, 2026.

The players

Aday Mara

A 7-foot-3 Spanish center who transferred from UCLA to Michigan this season and had a dominant performance in the Final Four, scoring 26 points and grabbing 9 rebounds to lead the Wolverines to victory.

Dusty May

The head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, who said he envisioned a bigger role for Mara this season and has helped the Spanish center develop into a dominant force.

Koa Peat

A 6-foot-8 freshman forward for Arizona, who acknowledged Mara's strong performance and called him 'a really good player, really unique.'

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What they’re saying

“I was just saying the process of being here in this year, I'm so grateful and so happy that I'm able to play with this group. I'm able to fight for the national title. But it was a process just coming from maybe two years that I didn't have the opportunity to show what I was able to do, and now just to be in this position. But it was a long year, tough year. But it was fun, too. We're just having fun.”

— Aday Mara, Michigan Center

“He's just a good player, you know, really unique. He had a really good game tonight. So props to them.”

— Koa Peat, Arizona Freshman Forward

“Aday was sensational. He was at the rim, catching lobs. He was a force down low. He was a pressure release up top. I mean, he's such a smart basketball player. And obviously his rim protection -- he did a great job on Peat. He did a great job forcing a lot of those misses around the basket because of his aggression.”

— Dusty May, Michigan Head Coach

What’s next

Michigan will face UConn in the national championship game on Monday, April 7, 2026, seeking the program's second NCAA title and first since 1989.

The takeaway

Mara's comments highlight the challenges some international recruits can face in adjusting to the NCAA game, as well as the difficult decisions they sometimes have to make in transferring to find a better fit. His dominant performance in the Final Four also showcases Michigan's emergence as a national title contender this season.