Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder Get Their ‘Wemby Stopper’ in 7’3″ Aday Mara

The Oklahoma City Thunder picked Aday Mara who is being called "Wemby stopper".

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder Get Their ‘Wemby Stopper’ in 7’3″ Aday Mara

Aday Mara (Image credits - Firstsportz)

It looks like the Oklahoma City Thunder used their 12th pick, keeping Victor Wembanyama in mind. They got the 12th pick from the Los Angeles Clippers and drafted Aday Mara from Michigan University.

Mara is 7’3″ and played an instrumental role in helping Michigan win the 2026 NCAA championship. During their title run, he averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks in 40 appearances. His height, combined with his shot-blocking ability, has led many to call him the “Wemby stopper”.

When asked what he thinks about being called the “Wemby stopper”, he said he is ready for the challenge.

Obviously, Wemby is a great player and it is going to be a huge challenge but I’m looking forward to it. Whatever the coach says, if I have to try to stop him I will try. I’m ready [for the challenge], I don’t know how yet but I will do it.

Aday Mara on Sports Illustrated

Victor Wembanyama is coming off a historic playoff run in his first postseason. He broke a few playoff records along the way as he led the San Antonio Spurs to their first NBA Finals since 2014. While they were beaten in five games in the Finals, Wembanyama has shown that he is ready to be the face of the league.

At 7’4″, the NBA has never seen a talent like Wembanyama before. Not only is he an elite shot blocker but he can move like a guard and even shoot from range.

The Thunder were looking to win back-to-back championships this year, but were stopped in the Western Conference Finals. They had no answers for Wembanyama as they were beaten in Game 7 at home. The French star was awarded the Western Conference Finals MVP for his performances as he averaged 27.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks.

RELATED
Warriors’ 1st-Round Pick Was a Kyrie Irving and 2016 Cavs Fan: “I Used to Hate Steph Curry”

Aday Mara on his future matchups against Victor Wembanyama

Aday Mara began his basketball career in Spain. He signed for Basket Zaragoza in 2021 and played there for two years before signing to play college basketball for UCLA in the United States.

When asked about his future matchups against Victor Wembanyama and being labeled as a potential Wembanyama stopper.

Obviously it’s not a bad thing to hear. I think it’s gonna take time and adjustments but I’m excited to play against him.

Aday Mara in his press conference

He played for Spain in the 2022 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup and led his country to the final before losing to the United States. In the tournament, he averaged 12.6 points, five rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game.

Leading Michigan to the NCAA Championship this year, Mara won the Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Year. It appears that the Thunder made their pick, keeping the Spurs center in mind for next season.

Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs overachieved this year

The Spurs finished at 13th place in the Western Conference standings in the 2024-25 season. With Victor Wembanyama fit and healthy this season, they jumped to second place with a 62-20 record and were the only team to have a winning record against the Thunder. Their five-game loss to the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals led some to say his legacy is stained.

Victor Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama (Image credits – Underdog/X)

However, Lonzo Ball does not believe that Wembanyama’s legacy is stained after the Finals loss.

He (Victor Wembanyama) is in his third year and not a lot of people are leading their team that didn’t go to the playoffs the year before to the Finals. That’s a huge jump. No string. He just got to get better. I think he had a great year. The Spurs had a tremendous year. I think they overachieved. I think they ahead of schedule.

Lonzo Ball on Ball In The Family podcast

Wembanyama is coming off a tremendous season. At 22, he was named as the first-ever unanimous Defensive Player of the Year, finished top-three in the MVP rankings, won the Western Conference Finals MVP, and led his team to the NBA Finals. The signs are promising for the French prodigy and the Spurs as they look to go one better next season.

Also Read: