Michigan’s Aday Mara Comes From a Family of Elite Athletes
Michigan Wolverines star Aday Mara was raised in Zaragoza, Spain, by two former professional athletes. Here's what to know about his parents, volleyball star Geli Gómez and basketball player Javier Mara.
Meet Michigan Basketball Star Aday Mara’s Parents Erick W. Rasco - Getty Images "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links. " Aday Mara Gómez may be the most versatile big man in college basketball.
The 7-foot-3 center from Spain plays for the Michigan Wolverines after previously suiting up for the UCLA Bruins. In just the 2025-26 season , Mara became the third Division I player at his height to hit a three-pointer, and only the fourth to make multiple threes in a single game since the 2002-03 season. He was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2026 , a rare combination of interior dominance and perimeter range at his size.
During the 2026 Final Four, Mara had the best game of his college career , scoring 26 points on 11-of-16 shooting with nine rebounds and two blocks in a 91-73 win over Arizona. Basketball is one of the most popular sports in Spain , often fighting tennis for No. 2 spot behind soccer.
Mara was born and raised in Zaragoza, Spain, to two star athletes, including a national basketball star, his father, Javier. Both of his parents made the trip to Indianapolis to watch Aday play in the Final Four , and then the National Championship game on April 6. “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 told the Associated Press .