Michigan basketball had lost some size this offseason with Vlad Goldin graduating and a strong likelihood that Danny Wolf departs for the NBA. But a year after the Wolverines struck gold in the transfer portal by adding both, it appears they're doing it again.
On Tuesday, Michigan basketball started getting predictions that it would add to its transfer portal haul, and on Friday, that came to fruition for the maize and blue. UCLA center Aday Mara, the 7-foot-3 behemoth from Spain who's coming off of his second year in college, committed to the Wolverines, making him the fourth transfer portal commitment thus far this cycle.
NEWS: UCLA transfer Aday Mara, a 7-foot-3 center, has committed to Michigan, source told @On3sports.
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 11, 2025
Originally from Spain, the sophomore big man averaged 6.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in only 13 minutes per game this season. https://t.co/lDw2y1mGh3pic.twitter.com/N7MfqcblNK
Thus far, North Carolina point guard Elliot Cadeau, Illinois forward Morez Johnson Jr., and top overall transfer portal prospect, UAB forward Yaxel Lendeborg, and Mara have pledged to the maize and blue. While Lendeborg's future is uncertain as he's testing the NBA draft waters, the future does appear bright in Ann Arbor for Dusty May and company. Like Cadeau, Mara was a five-star prospect as a recruit and has high upside in the Wolverines' style of play.
On3 has Mara as the fourth-best center in the transfer portal and the No. 45 player, regardless of position. His addition gives Michigan four transfers in the top 60, with Lendeborg at No. 1, Johnson at No. 31, and Cadeau at No. 59.
The Wolverines have added four but have lost five players via the transfer portal with Tre Donaldson, Justin Pippen, Phat Phat Brooks, Sam Walters, and Jace Howard all having departed this spring.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Former UCLA center Aday Mara commits to Michigan basketball
