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With the advent of the transfer portal, big-time college basketball programs are now able to re-tool within one offseason in order to fortify the roster with as much talent as they please.
Dusty May did just that in his first season with the Michigan Wolverines, but his moves ahead of the 2025-26 season have paid huge dividends. May was able to bring in four starters, all of which have played massive roles in Michigan's NCAA Tournament run. The biggest of which is literally Aday Mara.
Aside from Mara, May convinced Elliot Cadeau, Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. to leave their schools for Michigan. They have all been outstanding for the Wolverines this season, but Mara's stunning athleticism at his height of 7-foot-3 has had fans wondering why UCLA head coach Mick Cronin would let him leave.
Aday Mara felt he wasn't getting the proper playing time under Mick Cronin at UCLA
Cronin, in fact, was one of the reasons Mara departed. Mara felt that he wasn't getting enough playing time under the UCLA head coach.
"I think I felt like I was playing good, practicing good, practicing hard, you know, putting in extra work and until Wisconsin I never had the opportunity to show that I was able to play, you know? And once [Cronin] gave me the opportunity, I saw - not a lot, but I saw what I could do."
Mara has previously admitted that he was happy at UCLA, and it was a "hard decision" to leave because he enjoyed his time there. Despite that, right before Michigan's Final Four game against Arizona, Mara admitted that he felt he "made the right decision" in coming to Michigan. The Wolverines certainly agree.