Final Four brings Aday Mara's parents from Spain to experience March Madness with Michigan big man
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Aday Mara was on his tiptoes when he helped cut down the nets in Crisler Arena a few weeks ago after a win against rival Michigan State, celebrating Michigan's Big Ten championship . The 7-foot-3 Spaniard looked around and lamented that he and German center Malick Kordel were the two Wolverines without family on the confetti-filled court.
If Michigan wins two more games in the NCAA Tournament to claim its second national championship and first since 1989, Mara is thankful his parents will be with him. Mara's parents, former professional basketball and volleyball players in Spain, have been able to attend just a few games when they traveled to spend Christmas with him. Javier Mara and Gely Gomez are with their son, staying at his apartment, and plan to join him at the Final Four in Indianapolis to experience March Madness in person.
“Having them here is amazing because I can spend time with them now and if we win it all, I can celebrate with them,” Aday Mara told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “It's special. ” The Wolverines will face Arizona on Saturday night and the winner will advance to play Connecticut or Illinois for NCAA Tournament title on Monday night.
Michigan's versatile big man will likely be a pivotal player. He transferred from UCLA last year, seeking a larger role with a team lacking a true center and found what he was looking for under coach Dusty May after Vladislav Goldin and Danny Wolf left to play professional basketball. “Vlad and Danny left so it was a great place for me,” Mara said.
“They had a great year last year and when I talked with Dusty, I could tell he is a person you can trust. I was also impressed with his obsession with basketball and with helping his players improve. ” Mara started in 37 of 38 games after starting in just nine over two seasons with the Bruins and played 23 minutes a game — an increase of 10 minutes — and made the most of the opportunity.