MALAGA (Spain) - Just looking at Aday Mara makes you think he probably plays basketball at a high level. Then watching the Spanish big man in action, it stands out. Not his shot blocking ability or the touch around the basket. No, what makes Mara special is his passing - which he showcased often in the first game of the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2022.

Spain were upset by Lithuania 71-68 in the hosts' opener, but that is not because Mara didn't play well. The center scored a team-high 15 points on 7-of-12 shots while also grabbing 6 rebounds, dishing out 2 assists and securing 1 steal.

Mara was credited with two assists but that number could have been much higher if his Spanish teammates had been able to finish the passes coming from the 7-foot-3 center.

 
Mara is playing his first FIBA tournament after Spain missed out on the FIBA U16 European Challengers 2021 due to Covid cases. But he did experience the international stage last month at the Basketball Without Borders Europe camp in Milan.

"In the BWB I had a great time on and off the court. In addition to learning many things that will help me in the future, what I took most from that camp is all the advice I took from both coaches and many colleagues," said Mara, who turned 17 in April.

The Zaragoza native also showed off his passing in Italy, and he really prides himself on that part of his game.

"Since I was little I have read the game well. That is why when I practice I always try to improve the passes that I am going to make the most during the games to fail as few times as possible," said Mara, who plays in Casademont Zaragoza system in Spain.

Mara split his 2021-22 season with LEB Gold second division team Huesca and fourth division EBA side Olivar. He averaged 2.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in six games for Huesca while collecting 10.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.8 blocks in EBA. Mara also tallied 7.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 3.0 blocks playing for Zaragoza in the U18 ANGT competition. And he also played in one game in the FIBA Europe Cup in late November.

Mara's passing has made his teams better and more efficient this season.

With Mara on the court, Spain have a 47 percent better chance to create viable offense in comparison to him off the court, according to the video analysis service provider InStat Sport. Based on stats from more than 25 games with Mara this season - including the Spain vs Lithuania contest, the expected number of possessions with Mara are expected to be above 78 whereas without him over a stretch of 5-10 minutes it could drop down to 67. That means with Mara on the court, his teams are more efficient in getting to shots earlier in the shotclock and therefore being able to produce more possessions.

Mara's ability to read the game and deliver passes makes him that much more attractive as a talent long term for the higher levels.

"He has a passing skill set that you can't teach," an NBA scout told FIBA. "Court vision, eyes behind his head, timing and accuracy: it is great to spread the floor and kill defensive traps or help."

 
The Europe-based talent observer even conjured up a reference to a well-known European who is dominating the NBA: two-time league MVP Nikola Jokic.

"Since Jokic we have not seen any other European international big as good a passer as him," the scout added.

Mara naturally still has a lot of work to do to improve his game, but he definitely possesses a special skill in his game with his passing ability. Even if it might not appear like that from looking at him.

FIBA