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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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The NBA Draft featured a trio of Michigan Wolverines stars becoming first-round picks, with championship winners Morez Johnson Jr., Yaxel Lendeborg, and Aday Mara getting their names called by Adam Silver.
Mara, the team's 7-foot-3 big man with a 7-foot-6 wingspan, became the Oklahoma City Thunder's No. 12 pick, which seemed to give them further size to contend with the likes of San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama.
Mara's former head coach, who recently was hired as the new coach of the Dallas Mavericks, attended the big night to support his players as they were drafted and had a strong reaction from his seat.
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A highlight clip surfaced online in which May appeared to be angry as he smacked his hands together after learning of the pick. However, he also says, "Hell yeah," which seems to indicate his excitement over Mara going to such a great situation in the NBA.
More news: Yaxel Lendeborg Has Emotional Reaction to Joining Warriors at NBA Draft
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He joins an OKC team that looked to be on the verge of repeating as NBA champions. However, they ran into Wemby and the young Spurs, who defeated them in a hard-fought seven-game series.
Mara gives them the necessary size, although he'll likely need some time to polish his game. He averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, and 2.4 assists per game in a championship-winning season.
May's Mavericks will now face OKC with Mara, but May also landed one of his former players, as Johnson Jr. went to Dallas at No. 9 overall. Michigan's other standout, Lendeborg, joined the Western Conference's Golden State Warriors, meaning the three teammates might see each other several times next season.
Among Mara's NBA comparisons are big men Zach Edey, Marc Gasol, and Portland Trail Blazers emerging star, Donovan Clingan. He could also become someone totally different based on his role or development in the league.
His arrival on the Thunder also occurs amid discussion over how poorly their previous No. 2 pick, Chet Holmgren, performed in the Western Conference Finals finale against the Spurs.
This might not mean that Holmgren is going anywhere, yet, but it probably puts him on notice that there is another big man who could help them where they need it most.
More news: Cam Boozer Puts NBA on Notice With His Statement Before the Draft
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