Victor Wembanyama is pushing Aday Mara up draft boards after Spurs' playoff breakout

If greatness is measured by how rival teams attempt to stop you, then Victor Wembanyama is certifiable. As the 2026 NBA Draft approaches, Wembanyama's impact can be felt on how junior center Aday Mara has meteorically risen up big boards.

Though Mara is an intriguing prospect who received a first-round grade by virtue of merit, the unavoidable goal of teams finding a way to defend Wembanyama has undoubtedly fueled his rise.

Mara stole the show at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine. He measured at 7'3" and 259 pounds with a 7'6" wingspan and a 9'9" standing reach. Each of those marks would've turned heads before Wembanyama even played basketball, but there's a growing sense of urgency to find counters to his greatness.

Jake Fischer of The Stein Line confirmed as much when he reported that front offices are looking to add size to counter Wembanyama—and that Mara has benefited to the point of being a potential lottery pick.

"Wembanyama's ascension has numerous front offices thinking about how to add more size to combat the Frenchman. We've been writing about the leaguewide renaissance for big men all season and it sounds as though Michigan's 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara is bound for the green room on the first night of the draft as an increasingly certain lottery pick."

It must be reiterated that Mara is responsible for his own success and earned his first-round grade, but he's undoubtedly benefiting from teams' fear of having to play Wembanyama in the playoffs.

NBA insider: Rival front offices focused on adding size to stop Wemby

It's difficult to blame rival front offices for trying to find an answer to the most physically dominant player since Shaquille O'Neal. Wembanyama is a 7'4" titan with unfathomable agility and body control, as well as a three-level skill set on offense.

That translated to Wembanyama averaging 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 3.1 blocks, 1.0 steal, and 1.9 three-point field goals made on .512/.349/.827 shooting.

Moreover, Wembanyama won the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year award and finished second in MVP voting at just 22 years of age. The one saving grace for 29 other franchises was that he hadn't yet proven himself in the playoffs.

Wembanyama has answered the call by leading the Spurs to the 2026 Western Conference Finals, where they've already become the only team to claim at least one game against the Oklahoma City Thunder this postseason.

The result appears to be the early formation of an offseason that will largely center around teams trying to figure out how to slow Wembanyama down. He's likely to become more dominant as his game develops and he adds more muscle to his frame, which is likely why the NBA Draft has become such a priority: Teams hope to develop "Wemby stoppers" along a similar timeline to his own growth.

Mara earned his praise by developing his game and becoming an NCAA champion and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, but any team that drafts him will surely be hoping he can slow Wembanyama down.

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