In Reply to: I agree with everythig you said. posted by ej on July 16, 2025 at 10:09:17
Yeah, it’s tough to say for sure. I do think he was improving, and the efforts to make him stronger and more physical were definitely in his best interest. In short, I believe staying would’ve benefited him. That said, there’s no denying that last year’s Michigan team used their big men in a really unique way, which highlighted their strengths, especially in Wolf’s case. While Wolf was already considered a solid prospect, I’m not sure he was seen as a first-round pick. You can’t really fault Mara for seeing how Michigan utilized their frontcourt and thinking he could thrive in a similar role.
If the question is whether Mara would have developed better at Michigan than at UCLA, I think you can reasonably argue that UCLA may have been a better long-term developmental fit for him. But if the question is where his natural abilities would’ve been showcased more, then Michigan might have the edge. Again, this is speculation at best, and these are just a couple of the factors that likely played into his decision. There are many more factors. Personally, I still think UCLA offers some of the best exposure in the country. Sure, there are programs with more passionate fan bases, but UCLA has its own unique advantages.
At the end of the day, I think Mara made the choice that felt right to him. Sometimes, it just comes down to following your heart. No one wants a player who isn’t fully committed. While I’m disappointed to see him go, I genuinely wish him well and will be keeping a close eye on his journey.