By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Oklahoma City Thunder are assembling a deep group of global talent ahead of the 2026–27 NBA Regular Season. At preseason media day on Monday, the team’s European core showed total readiness. The focus remains entirely on learning the system and playing together.
Spanish rookie center Aday Mara enters the league with real humility despite his roots. “My generation is super grateful for the generation before, like the Gasol brothers, Ricky, Navarro, Rudy Fernandez, like Sergio Llull,” he mentioned, respecting the Spanish icons who paved the way. “Having that generation was great.”
“The Gasol brothers were super impactful in my learning process as a player,” added the Zaragoza native.
During the offseason, Mara prioritized going home to prepare for the jump from the NCAA to the NBA.
“I had the chance to go back to Spain for a little bit and then came back, played for a national team,” he referred to his senior debut with Spain, noting the run gave him ‘another view of playing with professionals’ after his time in college.
Now, he is dealing with a brand new environment. “This is like the next level of course,” he stressed.
In a similar approach, Belgian guard Ajay Mitchell opened up about altering his frame over the summer break. “I want to keep getting better,” he mentioned. “I’m still far away from what I want to be.”
Serbian guard Nikola Topic and German big Isaiah Hartenstein bolster this European baseline ahead of training camp, which starts Tuesday. Following the preseason games, the 2026–27 Regular Season starts opposite Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in Frost Bank Center on October 20.
Make