Why is the OKC Thunder trending today?
The team is trending due to the impressive preseason debut of 7-foot-3 rookie Aday Mara, who has shown high efficiency and versatility. Additionally, there is interest in Maral Javadifar, a former NFL strength coach hired to improve player health and recovery.
What happened
- Earlier
The Thunder select Aday Mara with the 12th overall pick in the 2026 draft [3]
- Offseason
Maral Javadifar joins the staff as director of athletic performance and works with Mara in Spain [1]
- Preseason
Mara records 34 points and 15 rebounds over his first two games without missing a shot [1]
- Preseason
Mara records 10 rebounds and 6 assists in a game against the Hawks [2]
What you need to know
Aday Mara is a 7-foot-3 rookie from Michigan and Spain known as a defensive presence [2, 3].
Mara has shown surprising offensive skills, including playmaking and high-efficiency scoring [2, 3].
Maral Javadifar brings NFL experience from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Thunder's performance staff [1].
The team is focusing on injury prevention after key players missed time during the previous playoffs [1].
It is not yet confirmed if Mara's preseason success will translate to significant playing time during the regular season.
Background
The Oklahoma City Thunder are looking to reclaim the NBA championship and are prioritizing player health to avoid the injuries that hindered their last playoff run [1].
The team has a history of unconventional hiring, such as bringing in an NFL strength and conditioning expert to manage the physical demands of an 82-game NBA schedule [1].
Aday Mara was drafted as a potential defensive counter to Victor Wembanyama, but he is currently demonstrating a more diverse skill set than expected [2].
Questions people ask
Who is Aday Mara?
He is a 7-foot-3 rookie center drafted 12th overall in 2026 who played for Michigan and is from Spain [2, 3].
What is Maral Javadifar's role?
She is the director of athletic performance, using her background with the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers to help with player recovery and strength [1].
Where this came from
[1] sports.yahoo.com
Thunder’s Most Overlooked Addition Could Change Everything
Preview image from sports.yahoo.com
[2] thunderousintentions.com
Aday Mara continues to show diverse skill set Thunder initially fell in love with
Preview image from thunderousintentions.com
[3] oklahoman.com
OKC Thunder rookie Aday Mara's game is already translating to the NBA. Here's how
Preview image from oklahoman.com
Found through Google Trends and drafted with AI from at least two cited sources. Published automatically after passing our automated checks for sources, wording and safety. It may not have been reviewed by a person yet. Report a correction.