The NBA is amazed by Aday Mara and Sergio de Larrea

Aday Mara and Sergio De Larrea face their first season in the NBA surrounded by expectations. The Aragonese center, number 12 in the latest Draft, has already impressed his teammates from the Oklahoma City Thunder, while the Valencian guard, selected at number 25 by the Dallas Mavericks, is receiving support from one of the major references of his new team: Kyrie Irving.

The two also represent a new generation of Spanish basketball arriving in the United States after having gone through significant experiences before landing in the NBA. Mara comes from winning the NCAA with Michigan and making his debut with the Spanish National Team, while De Larrea arrives from a Valencia Basket with a competitive mentality. Now the real challenge begins: turning all that potential into minutes and prominence in the best league in the world.

Aday Mara Already Impresses in Oklahoma City

Mara, at only 21 years old and with his 2.21 meters tall, has arrived in Oklahoma City under a particularly appealing context. The Thunder continue to be one of the major projects in the NBA and have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the current MVP, as a reference.

The Spaniard has already experienced his first practices with the group and acknowledges that the experience was special: it was the first time he shared the court with much of his new teammates and allowed him to begin to familiarize himself with the pace and demands of the NBA.

But what stands out the most has been the initial impressions from his teammates.

Alex Caruso was blunt when talking about Mara: "He's a monster." The veteran guard also highlighted both the Spanish center and Bennett Stirtz for their ability to understand the game and make good decisions despite their youth.

Such comments help understand the impression Mara is making within Oklahoma City. It doesn't mean he will automatically have an important role, but it does indicate that the rookie has begun to generate a positive feeling among those who have already had the chance to work with him.

His Great Challenge: Finding a Place on a Championship Team

Expectations around Mara are high, but his situation also demands patience. Oklahoma City comes off winning the championship in 2025 and enters a season where they again aim for significant aspirations.

For the Spaniard, this means competing for minutes in a roster full of talent and learning from experienced players. His physique allows him to offer something different, and his evolution over the next few months will be especially important in determining how much he can participate in his first season.

His previous experience with the Spanish National Team may help him in that process. Mara acknowledged that playing this summer alongside more veteran players allowed him to experience earlier what it means to share a locker room with older professionals and adapt to a more demanding environment.

Kyrie Irving Raves About Sergio De Larrea

While Mara receives praise in Oklahoma, Sergio De Larrea begins his adventure in Dallas with a luxury ally.

Kyrie Irving spoke about the Spanish guard during the Mavericks' media day and particularly highlighted his basketball IQ, winning mentality, and eagerness to learn. He even joked that De Larrea had called him the perfect teammate because he had paid him $1,000 to say so.

Beyond the joke, Irving's message was very significant. The American guard explained that De Larrea arrives from a European team with a winning culture, is hungry to learn, and can turn to him when he needs help.

"He's a winner; he comes from a winning mentality team in Europe, and you can tell he's eager to learn," Irving noted. He also made it clear that both he and the Mavericks want the Spaniard to succeed.

Two Different Paths, the Same Opportunity

Mara and De Larrea arrive in the NBA from different positions. The former comes as a lottery pick on a franchise that has just been a champion; the latter, as the number 25 pick on a Mavericks team that is building a new era around Cooper Flagg.

Precisely for that reason, the immediate goal for both does not have to be accumulating great statistics. For Mara, it will be to adapt to the rhythm, physicality, and demands of the NBA and compete for minutes on a top-level roster. For De Larrea, it means learning quickly alongside players like Irving and earning the trust of a new coaching staff.

What’s important is that the initial signs from within both locker rooms are positive. Caruso has already defined Mara as "a monster," and Irving sees De Larrea as a player with a winning mentality and a hunger to progress. Now it's up to both to turn those initial praises into performance on the court.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La NBA alucina con Aday Mara y Sergio de Larrea