Several international players have been making waves in the NCAA, with notable performances from Aday Mara and Álvaro Folgueiras. Aday Mara, a 2.21m tall and 19-year-old Spanish player, contributed 7 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks in 20 minutes coming off the bench for UCLA in their 78-52 win over Oregon.
Mara’s improvement has been a key factor in UCLA’s five consecutive wins. His coach, Mick Cronin, has been working with him to enhance his defensive skills, often reminding him to keep his “hands up” to utilize his 2.35m size effectively.
In his last three games, Mara averaged 15.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4 blocks, showcasing his potential as a dominant force in the paint. Meanwhile, other UCLA players like Eric Dailey JR, Tyler Bilodeau, and Dylan Andrews also had strong performances, with 21, 15, and 15 points, respectively.
International Players’ Impact on Their Teams
Álvaro Folgueiras, a 19-year-old Spanish player from Robert Morris, narrowly missed a triple-double with 11 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists. His averages of 13 points and 10 rebounds per game have solidified his position as one of the best rebounders in the NCAA.
Other international players, such as Eddy Pinedo from St. Francis, Pedro López-Sanvicente from Denver, and Owen Aquino from Liberty, also had notable performances. Pinedo scored 12 points and grabbed 5 rebounds, while López-Sanvicente added 12 points and 2 rebounds. Aquino contributed 6 points and 2 rebounds, demonstrating the growing influence of international players in the NCAA.
