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Basket Zaragoza issued a statement on Friday confirming that they have not received an official request for an international transfer regarding Mara. The club indicated that they intend to formally oppose any such transfer should the Thunder initiate the process. According to the Spanish side, they have already communicated their position to FIBA, the Spanish Basketball Federation, the NBA, and the Oklahoma City front office following the draft in June, where Mara was selected as the No. 12 overall pick.
Contract Dispute and NBA Response
The core of the disagreement centers on the status of Mara’s contract when he departed for the United States. While the player left the Zaragoza organization in 2023 to join UCLA, the club maintains that his contract was never formally terminated during his time in the NCAA. Mara spent two seasons at UCLA before transferring to Michigan, where he played a role on last season's national championship team.
In response to the claims, a spokesperson for the Oklahoma City Thunder stated that the franchise is operating under the guidance of the NBA. The team noted that because Mara competed in the NCAA for three years, the league has advised that no clearance from the Spanish club is required for him to participate in the NBA. FIBA regulations generally do not mandate an official international transfer for players moving from a club to the NCAA system, which forms the basis of the Thunder's position.
Despite the off-court uncertainty, Mara has made a strong impression during his transition to the professional level. The 7-foot-3 center delivered an impactful preseason performance for Oklahoma City, averaging 13.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.4 blocks per game. His efficiency was particularly notable, as he shot 78.8% from the floor across his 23.3 minutes of action per game. The Thunder currently view Mara as a key component of a deep center rotation that includes starters Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren, as well as reserve Jaylin Williams.
