Spanish club Basket Zaragoza is challenging whether Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Aday Mara is eligible to play in the NBA this season.
The club says he’s still under contract with them for 2026-27. The Thunder dispute that.
In a statement on Friday, Zaragoza said it hasn’t received an official request from the Thunder for Mara’s international transfer, and that it would formally oppose one if it did.
The club says it made its position known to FIBA, the Spanish Basketball Federation, the NBA and the Thunder after Oklahoma City picked Mara at No. 12 in June’s draft, per ESPN.
Mara is a Zaragoza native who left the club in 2023 to play at UCLA. FIBA rules don’t require an official international transfer for NCAA play, and Zaragoza’s stance is that his contract was never terminated during his college years. After two seasons at UCLA, the 7-foot-3 Mara moved to Michigan, where he started on last season’s national championship team before entering the draft.
On the court, the 21-year-old has made a strong first impression. He had an outstanding preseason for Oklahoma City, averaging 13.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.4 blocks on 78.8% shooting from the floor in 23.3 minutes a game. He’s projected to be part of a deep center rotation. The Thunder start 7-footers Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren and bring Jaylin Williams off the bench.
