Sports · Basketball · 2 hrs ago
Basket Zaragoza disputes Aday Mara’s move to the Thunder
Basket Zaragoza says Aday Mara remains under contract for the 2026-27 season and is challenging his move to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The 21-year-old center played for the Spanish club before leaving for college basketball in the United States in 2023.
He later played at UCLA and Michigan, helping Michigan win a national championship, then was selected 12th in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Zaragoza says it will oppose an international transfer and has told the Thunder, the NBA and basketball governing bodies about its position.
The club argues Mara’s college career did not end his contract, while the Thunder says no clearance from Zaragoza is required because he played three years in the NCAA.
The dispute has not been legally resolved, and reports say Zaragoza may seek a financial settlement; accounts differ on whether the matter could affect Mara’s eligibility.
The Thunder are due to open their season against San Antonio on Oct.
20, with Mara expected to play a role if eligible.
Basket Zaragoza says Aday Mara remains under contract for the 2026-27 season and will oppose his move to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder says no clearance from Zaragoza is required because Mara last played college basketball.
Zaragoza says it has not received a formal international transfer request and has communicated its position to basketball authorities and the teams.
Mara left Zaragoza in 2023 to play college basketball at UCLA and Michigan before Oklahoma City selected him 12th in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The dispute could affect Mara’s eligibility to play for the Thunder, though a report cited by Eurohoops said other sources did not expect it to delay his NBA debut.
- Who
- Basket Zaragoza and the Oklahoma City Thunder dispute Aday Mara’s eligibility to play for the Thunder.
- What
- Zaragoza says Mara remains under contract and will oppose an international transfer. The Thunder says no clearance from Zaragoza is required.
- When
- The dispute was reported on October 16, 2026, ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season.
- Where
- The dispute concerns Mara’s move from Spain to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the United States.
- Why
- Zaragoza says Mara’s contract was not terminated when he left for college and that it retains his playing rights. The Thunder says his college career means no clearance is required.
Basket Zaragoza
Oklahoma City Thunder
Contract status
Basket Zaragoza
Mara remains under contract with the club for the 2026-27 season.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder says no clearance from Zaragoza is required for Mara to play in the NBA.
International clearance
Basket Zaragoza
Zaragoza says it will formally oppose a transfer request and may take legal action.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder says Mara’s three years of NCAA basketball mean he does not need clearance from the Spanish team.
Mara left Zaragoza to begin his college career at UCLA.
Oklahoma City selected Mara with the 12th pick in the NBA Draft.
Zaragoza said it had not received a formal transfer request and would oppose one if made.
The Thunder were scheduled to open the 2026-27 season against the San Antonio Spurs.
- Contract season
- 2026-27
- NBA Draft pick
- No. 12
- Former Spanish club
- Basket Zaragoza
- College teams
- UCLA and Michigan
- Thunder season opener
- October 20, 2026, against the San Antonio Spurs
4 sources
Spanish club Basket Zaragoza attempting to block Thunder rookie Aday Mara from making NBA debut
Aday Mara dispute: Zaragoza threatens legal action over Thunder move
Spanish team challenging Thunder rookie Mara's NBA eligibility
Aday Mara’s Oklahoma City Thunder debut reportedly threatened by legal battle
What people are saying
The player has a contract in force for the 2026-27 season with Basket Zaragoza
This does not mean that his departure terminated his contract or that he was excluded from the FIBA system.
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.