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Two former UCLA Bruins made their NBA Summer League debuts, with both Aday Mara and Tyler Bilodeau officially beginning their NBA careers. Bilodeau and his Brooklyn Nets competed in the California Classic while Mara and the Oklahoma City Thunder played in Utah.
Mara faced another top rookie on Saturday, matching up with Cameron Boozer and the Memphis Grizzlies. The reigning national champion had a terrific Summer League debut, scoring 10 points on 5-8 shooting in 22 minutes in a 111-74 loss. Mara added three rebounds, four assists and two blocks but the 7’3” center did commit three turnovers.
Bilodeau played in a closer game, with the Nets falling 79-76 to the Sacramento Kings. The former UCLA forward scored nine points on 4-6 shooting in 24 minutes. Bilodeau hit one of three attempts from deep, adding in a blocked shot and six rebounds.
Mara, a lottery pick, has his path a bit more defined. The Thunder brought him in to add to their battle-tested center rotation of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. Mara’s length will make him a quality rim protector but the former Bruin has established himself as a skilled passer for a center.
After being taken in the second round and signing a two-way deal, Bilodeau has less margin for error as he gets established in the NBA. Bilodeau will need to be a solid rebounder and a knock-down three point shooter, as he showed his abilities in both of those aspects in his Summer League opener.
Mara and Bilodeau had one season overlap at UCLA, with the two big men being on the 2024-2025 Bruins team. Mara left UCLA after two seasons to head to Michigan. Bilodeau played two seasons at Oregon State before spending another two years with the Bruins.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Aday Mara and Tyler Bilodeau make their NBA Summer League debut
Continue reading...
Mara faced another top rookie on Saturday, matching up with Cameron Boozer and the Memphis Grizzlies. The reigning national champion had a terrific Summer League debut, scoring 10 points on 5-8 shooting in 22 minutes in a 111-74 loss. Mara added three rebounds, four assists and two blocks but the 7’3” center did commit three turnovers.
Bilodeau played in a closer game, with the Nets falling 79-76 to the Sacramento Kings. The former UCLA forward scored nine points on 4-6 shooting in 24 minutes. Bilodeau hit one of three attempts from deep, adding in a blocked shot and six rebounds.
Mara, a lottery pick, has his path a bit more defined. The Thunder brought him in to add to their battle-tested center rotation of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. Mara’s length will make him a quality rim protector but the former Bruin has established himself as a skilled passer for a center.
After being taken in the second round and signing a two-way deal, Bilodeau has less margin for error as he gets established in the NBA. Bilodeau will need to be a solid rebounder and a knock-down three point shooter, as he showed his abilities in both of those aspects in his Summer League opener.
Mara and Bilodeau had one season overlap at UCLA, with the two big men being on the 2024-2025 Bruins team. Mara left UCLA after two seasons to head to Michigan. Bilodeau played two seasons at Oregon State before spending another two years with the Bruins.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Aday Mara and Tyler Bilodeau make their NBA Summer League debut
Continue reading...
