Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Aday Mara was selected to represent Spain in the second round of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup European qualifying tournament.
Mara is among five players from the NBA set to suit up, along with Santi Aldama, Sergio De Larrea, Hugo González and Baba Miller. The roster also features several mainstays, like Juancho Hernangómez, Willy Hernangómez and Joel Parra, among others.
The 7-footer will play with the senior team for the first time after previously helping Spain to the silver medal in the 2022 FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup and 2023 FIBA U18 European Championship, respectively. He also played in the 2024 FIBA U20 EuroBasket.
🚨 OFICIAL | Los 1⃣5⃣ 𝗷𝘂𝗴𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗩𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗗𝗢𝗦 por el Seleccionador @MateoChus
para disputar con #LaFamilia la Ventana de agosto 🔝 🏆 Clasificación @FIBAWC 📆 23 al 31 de agosto#SomosEquipo pic.twitter.com/qOz27EnrDV
— Baloncesto España (@BaloncestoESP) July 22, 2026
Mara, born in Zaragoza, was the 12th overall pick after helping Michigan to its second national championship last season. He was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, averaging 12.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 2.4 assists while shooting 66.8% from the field in 40 games.
The 21-year-old debuted with the Thunder in summer league, averaging 9.2 points, seven rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.8 blocks while shooting 56.3% from the field in five games. He reached 10 or more points four times, including a 14-point performance on July 14.
Spain, which went 5-1 in the first round of the qualifying tournament, plays Portugal on Aug. 28 and Greece on Aug. 31 to start the second round. The group is among 32 countries vying for Europe's 12 berths in the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar.
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Thunder rookie Aday Mara to play for Spain in FIBA World Cup qualifier
