Spanish club Basket Zaragoza is challenging Oklahoma City Thunder rookie lottery pick Aday Mara's eligibility to play in the NBA this season. The club states that Mara remains under contract with the team for the 2026-27 season, a claim the Thunder dispute.
In a statement released Friday, Basket Zaragoza said it has not received an official request from the Thunder for Mara's international transfer and would formally oppose the transfer if a request is made. The club says its position has been formally communicated to FIBA, the Spanish Basketball Federation, the NBA and the Thunder after Oklahoma City selected Mara with the No. 12 pick in June's draft.
The Thunder push back firmly. "Aday last played three years of NCAA college basketball and therefore, as advised by the NBA, no clearance from the Spanish team is required for him to play in the NBA," a Thunder spokesperson said Friday. FIBA regulations do not require an official international transfer for NCAA participation, though Basket Zaragoza maintains that Mara's contract was never terminated during his college tenure.
Mara, a native of Zaragoza, left the club in 2023 to attend UCLA. After two seasons there, the 7-foot-3 center transferred to Michigan, where he started on last season's national championship team before entering the draft. The 21-year-old had an outstanding preseason for Oklahoma City, averaging 13.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.4 blocks while shooting 78.8% from the floor in 23.3 minutes per game. He is projected to be part of a deep center rotation that includes Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren in the starting lineup, with Jaylin Williams coming off the bench.
Source: ESPN NBA · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing