A new champion of the college basketball world was crowned on Monday night, with the Michigan Wolverines taking the top spot in one of sports’ best tournaments. The Wolverines were among the best teams all season long, thanks to their trio of potential top NBA Draft picks in Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara.
Mara, who could be a top 10 pick in June’s draft, hails from Spain. Of course, no two Spanish players are more beloved than Los Angeles Lakers legend Pau Gasol and his brother, also a former Laker, Marc Gasol. Pau and Marc defined a generation of Spanish basketball, and Mara is lucky enough to have a personal relationship with both of his idols growing up.
“I would say Pau Gasol and Marc Gasol,” Mara told Arash Markazi of The Sporting Tribune when asked who he looks up to. “Yeah, we do. We’ve met in person a couple times, he’s a really good person. I also played against his brother, too, and it was a great experience. I was super young. He sent me a couple messages before the game, like good luck and I’ll be watching. Knowing that I have one of my idols watching me play basketball is an amazing feeling.”
While both Pau and Marc are his idols, the former has definitely developed the closer bond with Mara. The Lakers legend showed it by sending out multiple tweets during Mara’s championship night:
Aday Mara es el primer jugador de baloncesto masculino español en jugar la final de la NCAA! Y no solo es jugarla, sino haber llegado a ella jugando tan bien y siendo pieza clave 👏🏼👏🏼 https://t.co/5JhgkQmwOa
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) April 5, 2026
Histórico!!!! Me alegro mucho por ti, Aday, te lo mereces 👏🏼👏🏼 https://t.co/Gd2fUoKlHi
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) April 7, 2026
It is undeniably an amazing feeling to have a country’s legend still be in support of the stars who come out from that country years after retirement. Pau has always been one to enjoy propping up the next generation, whether that be through the daughters of Kobe Bryant, young stars in the NBA today and up-and-coming Spanish players.
Mara has been mocked anywhere from the top 10 to the mid 20s. But it seems his fate is sealed as a first-round draft selection. And as his NBA career develops, Pau will be among those tuning in.
Cooper Flagg reacts to facing off against Lakers’ LeBron James
Another case of a young NBA star getting a chance to be close with one of their idols was Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg facing off against LeBron James on Sunday. Flagg dominated in a Mavericks win, but he was just excited to match up with James.
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