What happened: Aday Mara, selected 12th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2026 NBA Draft, spoke about his time in the Basketball Without Borders program. He called the experience valuable for players developing outside the United States, saying he thinks "it's great for international players."

Why it matters: Mara's path underscores how international development pipelines continue to feed the top of the NBA Draft. For Oklahoma City, adding a skilled big man through the 12th pick deepens a young core heading into the 2026-27 season.

What to watch: Watch how Mara fits into Oklahoma City's frontcourt rotation as offseason workouts and Summer League give the first read on his NBA readiness.