Spanish Basketball Surge: Mara and De Larrea Lead New Wave to NCAA & NBA
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A record number of Spanish basketball players are making their mark on the NCAA, fueled by a shift in mentality and a growing ambition to develop their talents in the United States.
The 2025-2026 season has witnessed an unprecedented influx of thirty Spanish players into the NCAA, solidifying Spain’s position as the seventh-leading contributor of talent to U.S. university basketball. This represents a 55% increase, signaling a significant change in aspirations among Spain’s youth. Increasingly, top Spanish prospects are choosing to hone their skills stateside, with Aday Mara and Sergio de Larrea leading the charge as potential NBA prospects.
A New Generation Takes the Court
While experienced players like Daddy Miller and Jordi Rodríguez are making an impact at Cincinnati, and Pablo Tamba is concluding his collegiate career at LSU, the spotlight is firmly on Mara and de Larrea as they prepare for the 2026-2027 NBA season.
Mara recently made a stunning debut with the Michigan Wolverines, recording a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds in just 20 minutes of play. He also showcased impressive defensive prowess with five blocks. Bleacher Report’s mock draft currently projects Mara as the 24th overall pick in the upcoming NBA draft, a significant jump from his previous two seasons at UCLA. the 2.21-meter centre began his career with Basket lupus and honed his skills at Casademont Zaragoza, debuting in the ACB League against Baskonia in October 2022.
His talent was recognized even earlier, during a UCLA Bruins game against Ohio State, which served as a tribute to the late Bill Walton. Legendary UCLA alumnus Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was in attendance and reportedly stood to applaud a especially impressive play by Mara, a moment that quickly went viral. Mara also contributed to the Spanish national team, winning a silver medal at the European under-18 championship in Serbia in July 2023. – Did you know? Abdul-Jabbar’s reaction to Mara’s play instantly became a viral sensation on social media.
De Larrea: A Rising Star in Valencia
Sergio de Larrea, a point guard from Valladolid, is forging his own path to the NBA without the conventional NCAA route. currently playing for Valencia Basket, de Larrea was unexpectedly called upon during the EuroBasket tournament under coach Sergio Scariolo, stepping into a leadership role due to unforeseen roster changes. The same mock draft that highlighted Mara projects de Larrea as the 32nd pick.
Despite a start to the season hampered by injuries, de Larrea is averaging 8.2 points, 2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in six EuroLeague games, starting in four of them. His numbers in the Endesa League are similarly impressive, with 8.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in five games. Last Sunday, he contributed to Valencia’s league-leading victory over Burgos, scoring 10 points, grabbing three rebounds, and dishing out three assists in just over a quarter of an hour. Valencia achieved a historic high score at halftime against Granada earlier this year,with 67 points,the highest in the Endesa League in 17 years. – Pro tip: Keep an eye on de Larrea’s assist numbers – they’re a key indicator of his court vision and playmaking ability.
A Promising Future for Spanish Basketball
According to one player, speaking after the game against Burgos, de Larrea possesses a rare quality. “he is very young, he is very good and reminds me a lot of Luka Doncic playing. When we play 2×2 or 3×3, I like the way he speaks, he is a very good leader.” – Reader question: Will de Larrea’s non-NCAA path hinder his NBA draft stock?
Mara and de Larrea represent the leading edge of a new wave of Spanish basketball talent. Should they both reach the NBA next year, they would join compatriots Santi Aldama, Hugo Gonzalez, and This is Ndiaye, bringing the total number of Spanish players in the league to five. The future looks shining for Spanish basketball, as these young stars continue to develop and pursue their dreams on the world stage.
