A Spanish basketball club has formally challenged the eligibility of Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Aday Mara to play in the NBA this season, arguing that the player remains bound by a contract with the Spanish side.
The Thunder selected Mara in the 2023 NBA Draft and have been preparing him for a debut in the league, but the Spanish team has lodged a formal objection, asserting that the player is still under contract and therefore ineligible to join the NBA roster.
Details of the contract dispute have not yet been disclosed, and it is unclear whether the Thunder will be able to register Mara for the upcoming season or if the matter will be resolved through the NBA’s international transfer procedures.
Both parties have not yet released statements beyond the initial claim, and the NBA has not yet issued a ruling on the matter.
The outcome of the challenge will determine whether Mara can begin his professional career in the United States or remain with his Spanish club for the remainder of the season.
<small>Source: ESPN — read the original story there.</small>