It was a special night at UCLA as they dedicated their game against Ohio State to one of their greatest legends, a pivotal figure in NBA history who passed away on May 27 last year. Bill Walton was in attendance, and he had plenty to be excited about, especially with Aday Mara taking the court. In the presence of other UCLA legends, Mara truly stood out.
The young Spanish pivot had a remarkable performance, securing a double-double with 10 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks in a 69-61 victory. One of those blocks was particularly impressive, as he left a rival in the dust and effortlessly swatted the ball well above the hoop. Standing at 2.21 meters tall, Mara was a formidable wall for Ohio State, which managed only 21 points in the 20 minutes he was on the court.
What’s more, Mara even treated the crowd to a hook shot that drew comparisons to the legendary Sky Hook of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who also studied at UCLA and began his journey to greatness there. Abdul-Jabbar, now 77, was in attendance, sitting in the front row, and he couldn’t help but celebrate Mara’s play with a fist pump when he saw the Spanish pivot in action.
Unlike last season, Mara has become a staple in coach Mick Cronin’s rotation, and it’s easy to see why. Cronin, who just reached 500 victories in the NCAA this Sunday, has given Mara plenty of opportunities to shine. The Spanish pivot has participated in 26 matches, averaging 5.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 12.4 minutes per game. It’s clear that Mara is making the most of his time on the court, and his performances are turning heads – including those of NBA legends like Abdul-Jabbar.