OKLAHOMA CITY — Days before his NBA debut, Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Aday Mara is caught in a tug-of-war with the Spanish club where his pro career began.
Basket Zaragoza issued a statement Friday insisting the 7-foot-3 center still has a valid contract with the club for the 2026-27 season. The club said no request for his international transfer has reached it yet, but it will oppose one if it arrives, and it is ready to go to court to protect its rights.
Zaragoza said it laid out that position after the 2026 draft to Oklahoma City, league offices, FIBA and Spain’s national federation. Its argument rests on a gap in the rules: FIBA does not require a transfer when a player leaves for the NCAA, as Mara did in 2023, and the club contends that leaving for college never ended his deal.
The Thunder pushed back the same day. A team spokesperson said that because Mara spent his last three seasons in college basketball, the league has advised that he needs no clearance from the Spanish side to play.
Mara, 21, grew up in Zaragoza and came through its youth system, averaging 5.3 points in 22 Spanish league games in 2022-23 before heading to UCLA. After two seasons with the Bruins he moved to Michigan, where he earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors, blocked a school-record 103 shots and helped the Wolverines win the 2026 national title.
Oklahoma City took him 12th overall, and his rookie deal pays about $5.8 million this season. He has stood out in exhibition play, and in 33 minutes against Atlanta he piled up 17 points and 10 rebounds to go with six assists and four blocks. The Thunder open the regular season against San Antonio on Oct. 20.
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