Spanish team challenging Thunder rookie Mara's NBA eligibility

The Spanish club Basket Zaragoza is challenging Oklahoma City Thunder rookie lottery pick Aday Mara's eligibility to play in the NBA this season, stating that he remains under contract with its team for the 2026-27 season, a contention disputed by the Thunder. In a statement released Friday, Basket Zaragoza said that 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. "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. According to Basket Zaragoza, their position was 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. Mara, a native of Zaragoza, left the club in 2023 to go to UCLA. However, FIBA regulations do not require an official international transfer for NCAA participation, and Basket Zaragoza's stance is that Mara's contract with the club was not terminated during his college tenure. After two seasons at UCLA, the 7-foot-3 Mara transferred to Michigan, where he started on last season's national championship team before entering the draft. Mara, 21, 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 for the Thunder, who use 7-footers Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren in the starting lineup and bring Jaylin Williams off the bench.