Hoping to replenish their youth, the Oklahoma City Thunder added two new players to their roster at the 2026 NBA draft Round 1 on Tuesday. They selected Michigan’s Aday Mara with the No. 12 pick. And then they selected Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz with the No. 16 pick.
The latter required a trade-up. The Thunder sent the Memphis Grizzlies the No. 17 pick and two future second-round picks to move up one spot for Stirtz.
Mara was viewed as a lottery pick for most of the year. He averaged 12.1 points on 66.8% shooting, 6.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.6 blocks this past season at Michigan. The 21-year-old is a 7-foot-3, 260-pound center.
Meanwhile, Stirtz took advantage of his sole year at Iowa. He averaged 19.8 points on 47.7% shooting, 4.4 assists and 2.6 rebounds this past season. He shot 35.8% from 3 on 6.9 attempts. The 22-year-old is a 6-foot-3, 186-pound guard.
Here’s how NBA Twitter reacted to OKC’s additions of Mara and Stirtz:
With the 12th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder selects Aday Mara from @umichbball ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/bynPeKK9tb
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) June 24, 2026
Welcome to OKC, Aday 🤝 pic.twitter.com/j4sE6wfbvO
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) June 24, 2026
Aday checking in 👋 pic.twitter.com/NNyhOxSCmV
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) June 24, 2026
Aday Mara goes 12th to the @okcthunder! pic.twitter.com/FPOInoOoHf
— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) June 24, 2026
“Obviously it’s not a bad thing to hear. I think it’s gonna take time and adjustments but I’m excited to play against him”
– Aday Mara on the Thunder drafting him to be the “Wemby stopper” pic.twitter.com/RdMKZCDJBd
— The Daniel Bell© (@BasketballGuruD) June 24, 2026
The Thunder made attempts to trade up to select Aday Mara…and they didn’t have to. Pretty amazing fit. A perfect guy to battle Victor Wembanyama. At worst gonna be a reallllly good center. Elite rim protection, highly skilled passer and finisher. If he fixes the shot, oh boy! pic.twitter.com/YR8vSFIkak
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnor) June 24, 2026
Dusty May was hyped to see Aday Mara drafted 😂
Three of his Michigan players drafted in the first round 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Odt7LDOLka
— ESPN (@espn) June 24, 2026
OKC just got a STEAL with Aday Mara at No. 12. 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/JXQWNEjXlP
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 24, 2026
Aday Mara is heading to OKC ⚡
Three Michigan players drafted in 2026 😮 pic.twitter.com/Zu5ehjpOfZ
— ESPN (@espn) June 24, 2026
Ann Arbor ➡️ Oklahoma City
The @okcthunder select Aday Mara with the 12th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft! pic.twitter.com/ZrTsM2MbRr
— Michigan Men’s Basketball (@umichbball) June 24, 2026
OKC Thunder were elite before tonight.
Then they drafted Aday Mara.
Then they drafted Bennett Stirtz.This is absolutely ridiculous.
— Sam Block (@theblockspot) June 24, 2026
Bennett Stirtz is selected 16th overall by the @memgrizz in the 2026 NBA Draft!
Watch on ABC & ESPN. pic.twitter.com/SRak99jumL
— NBA (@NBA) June 24, 2026
An elite playmaker, leader, and person. ⚡️@bennett_stirtz x @okcthunder#Hawkeyes x #NBADraftpic.twitter.com/4mwlSy9T4i
— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) June 24, 2026
Bennett Stirtz highlights flash his size, shooting, playmaking and shot creation: pic.twitter.com/A8U6GC0kwf
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) June 24, 2026
The Thunder have selected Michigan’s Aday Mara with the No. 12 pick of the 2026 NBA draft: pic.twitter.com/NXBU3RIET1
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) June 24, 2026
The Thunder have selected Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz with the No. 16 pick of the 2026 NBA draft: pic.twitter.com/1bcrBgQydd
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) June 24, 2026
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: NBA Twitter reacts to OKC Thunder’s 2 additions at 2026 NBA draft
