Santi Aldama

Aldama was brought up in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain. He started playing basketball at age three because his father, Santiago Aldama, and uncle, {{ill|Santi Toledo|es}}, played the sport professionally.{{cite web |title=Eurohopes interviews Santi Aldama |url=http://www.eurohopes.com/news/6279/eurohopes_interviews_santi_aldama |publisher=Eurohopes |accessdate=1 October 2019 |date=24 May 2019}} Aldama grew up idolizing basketball players Pau Gasol, Juan Carlos Navarro and Kobe Bryant.{{cite news |last=Sáez |first=Faustino |title=Santi Aldama, el extraño portento |url=https://elpais.com/deportes/2019/08/05/actualidad/1565035884_938732.html |website=El País |accessdate=1 October 2019 |language=es |date=6 August 2019}}

Since his introduction to basketball, Aldama played for Canterbury Basketball Academy in Las Palmas and later chose to remain there, despite receiving offers from bigger clubs like FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Gran Canaria.{{cite web |date=30 December 2017 |title=Sobran los genes: Uno de los grandes proyectos nacionales jugará con el Barça en la Euroliga Junior |url=https://kiaenzona.com/mas-basket/campeonato-de-espana-cadete/santialdamabarcelona-71383/ |accessdate=8 October 2019 |publisher=KIA en Zona |language=es}} At the 2017 Spanish Under-16 Championship, he averaged 18.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game, playing for Canterbury alongside Oumar Ballo. He helped his team to a surprising third-place finish behind FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. In 2018, Aldama played on loan for the FC Barcelona under-18 team at Ciutat de L'Hospitalet qualifiers in the Adidas Next Generation tournament.{{cite web |title=Aldama, Santiago |url=https://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?pcode=008118&seasoncode=JTH17#!currentstats |publisher=EuroLeague |accessdate=9 October 2019}}

On 5 August 2019, Aldama announced his commitment to play college basketball in the United States for Loyola Maryland. He was drawn to the school because his father knew assistant coach Ivo Simović and due to Aldama's hopes of an eventual business career, and he felt comfortable when he visited the school in June.{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Edward |title=Freshman Santi Aldama one of nation's 'biggest recruiting steals' for Loyola Maryland men's basketball |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/basketball/bs-sp-spanish-freshman-forward-santi-aldama-loyola-maryland-basketball-20190822-bquxywqavvfuvmglbvjokkks4m-story.html |website=The Baltimore Sun |accessdate=30 September 2019 |date=22 August 2019}}{{cite web |title=Spain's Aldama wants a business career to match his highlight-producing basketball potential |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/europe/u18/2019/news/spain-s-aldama-wants-a-business-career-to-match-his-highlight-producing-basketball-potential |publisher=FIBA |accessdate=8 October 2019 |date=31 July 2019}} Considered a four-star recruit and a high-major talent, Aldama's decision to play for a mid-major program took many analysts by surprise. Evan Daniels of 247Sports.com called him "one of the biggest college-bound international steals in quite a while."{{cite web |last=Daniels |first=Evan |last2=Gershon |first2=Josh |name-list-style=and |date=5 August 2019 |title=Notable college prospects at the FIBA u18 European Championships |url=https://247sports.com/college/basketball/recruiting/Article/FIBA-u18-European-Championships-Santiago-Aldama-Loyola-Michigan-Kansas-134194147/ |accessdate=8 October 2019 |publisher=247Sports}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Start|40=no|collapse=no|year=2019}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry

| recruit = Santiago Aldama

| position = PF

| hometown = Las Palmas, Spain

| highschool = Canterbury Academy

| feet = 6

| inches = 10

| weight = 205

| 40 =

| commitdate = 5 August 2019

|scout stars =

|rivals stars =

|247 stars = 4

|espn stars =

|espn grade =

}}

{{College Athlete Recruit End

| 40 =

| year = 2019

| rivals ref title =

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| rivals school =

| scout s =

| espn schoolid =

| 247 overall = 61

| rivals overall =

| espn overall =

| accessdate = 8 October 2019

| bball = yes

}}

Aldama missed the first three months of his freshman season with a knee injury that required surgery.{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Edward |title=Prized recruit Santi Aldama out indefinitely for Loyola Maryland men's basketball after knee surgery |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/basketball/bs-sp-santi-aldama-loyola-maryland-surgery-20191106-rajmpdwfkfgltitud7o6zmq3du-story.html |website=The Baltimore Sun |accessdate=6 March 2020 |date=5 November 2019}} He made his collegiate debut for Loyola Maryland on 1 February 2020, scoring 11 points in 17 minutes in a 79–73 win over Navy.{{cite web |last=Lorensen |first=Nick |title=Spanish phenom Santi Aldama is leading a turn around at Loyola (MD) |url=https://www.midmajormadness.com/2020/2/19/21141037/santi-aldama-spain-basketball-ncaa-tournament-tavaras-hardy-kostecka-patriot-league-bid |publisher=Mid Major Madness |accessdate=6 March 2020 |date=19 February 2020}} Aldama was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week three times in the span of four weeks.{{cite web |title=Aldama Earns Second-Straight Patriot League Weekly Award |url=https://loyolagreyhounds.com/news/2020/3/2/mens-basketball-aldama-earns-second-straight-patriot-league-weekly-award.aspx |publisher=Loyola University Maryland Athletics |accessdate=6 March 2020 |date=2 March 2020}} At the end of the regular season, he was named to the Patriot League All-Rookie Team.{{cite web |title=Loyola's Andrew Kostecka Earns All-Patriot League First Team, Three Tabbed To Rookie Team |url=https://pressboxonline.com/2020/03/02/loyolas-andrew-kostecka-earns-all-patriot-league-first-team-three-tabbed-to-rookie-team/ |website=Press Box Online |publisher=Loyola University Maryland Athletics |accessdate=6 March 2020 |date=2 March 2020}} On 3 March, he scored a season-high 23 points in a 78–75 loss to Lehigh in the first round of the Patriot League tournament.{{cite web |title=Lehigh tops Loyola (Md.) 78-75 in Patriot first round |url=https://collegebasketball.ap.org/article/lehigh-tops-loyola-md-78-75-patriot-first-round |publisher=Associated Press |accessdate=6 March 2020 |date=3 March 2020}} Aldama averaged 15.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.7 blocks in 10 games as a freshman.{{cite web |last=Ashley |first=Mike |title=Loyola Men's Basketball Aiming To Take Next Step Behind Sophomore Class |url=https://pressboxonline.com/2020/11/30/loyola-mens-basketball-aiming-to-take-next-step-behind-sophomore-class/ |website=Press Box Online |accessdate=1 December 2020 |date=30 November 2020}}

On 13 February 2021, Aldama posted 30 points and 22 rebounds in a 97–94 triple overtime loss to Lafayette. He set the program record and matched Adonal Foyle's Patriot League record for rebounds in a game.{{cite web |title=Aldama Breaks School Rebound Record, But Lafayette Wins In Triple Overtime |url=https://loyolagreyhounds.com/news/2021/2/13/mens-basketball-aldama-breaks-school-rebound-record-but-lafayette-wins-in-triple-overtime.aspx |website=Loyola University Maryland Athletics |access-date=17 February 2021 |date=13 February 2021}} On 10 March 2021, Aldama scored a career-high 33 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 13-of-15 from the field, in a 67–63 win against Army at the Patriot League tournament semifinals. He helped Loyola advance to its first-ever Patriot League final.{{cite web |title=Aldama scores 33 to carry Loyola (Md.) into Patriot final |url=https://apnews.com/article/santi-aldama-jalen-rucker-josh-caldwell-cam-spencer-mens-college-basketball-9aa81ffab4fa7679cd77680794dc2a5c |publisher=Associated Press |access-date=28 July 2021 |date=10 March 2021}} As a sophomore, he averaged 21.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 blocks per game, earning First Team All-Patriot League honors. On 14 April 2021, Aldama declared for the 2021 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility. He later decided to remain in the draft.{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Edward |title=Loyola Maryland's Santi Aldama to enter NBA draft without giving up college eligibility |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/basketball/bs-sp-bkm-santi-aldama-loyola-maryland-nba-draft-20210414-7iz7cxujyng4vf7xnenuegfh2i-story.html |website=The Baltimore Sun |access-date=28 July 2021 |date=14 April 2021}}

Aldama was drafted with the 30th overall pick of the 2021 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz. His rights were later traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.{{cite web |date=7 August 2021 |title=Grizzlies acquire draft rights to Santi Aldama from Jazz |url=https://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/grizzlies-acquire-draft-rights-santi-aldama-jazz |access-date=20 November 2024 |work=NBA.com}} On 8 August 2021, the Grizzlies announced that they had signed Aldama.{{cite web |title=Grizzlies sign 2021 first round draft picks Ziaire Williams and Santi Aldama |url=https://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/grizzlies-sign-2021-first-round-draft-picks-ziaire-williams-and-santi-aldama-210808 |date=8 August 2021 |website=NBA.com |accessdate=8 August 2021}} On 2 December 2021, Aldama scored a season-high 18 points with ten rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block in a 152–79 blowout win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.{{cite web |title=Grizzlies throttle Thunder by NBA-record 73-point margin |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401360154 |date=2 December 2021 |website=ESPN.com |accessdate=2 December 2021}}

Aldama joined the Grizzlies' 2022 NBA Summer League roster.{{Cite web |title=Memphis Grizzlies 2022 NBA2K23 Summer League Roster {{!}} NBA.com |url=https://www.nba.com/summer-league/2022/vegas/team/1610612763/grizzlies |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=NBA.com}} On 18 July 2022, he was named to the All-NBA Summer League Second Team.{{Cite web |last=Rudder |first=Paul |date=2022-07-19 |title=Who made the 2022 NBA All-Summer League teams? Full player list |url=https://en.as.com/nba/who-made-the-2022-nba-all-summer-leage-teams-full-player-list-n/ |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=Diario AS |language=en}} With Jaren Jackson Jr. sidelined, Aldama was named the Grizzlies' starting power forward to open the 2022–23 season.{{Cite web |last=Cole |first=Damichael |date=October 20, 2022 |title=With support from Spain, Santi Aldama flourishes in the absence of Jaren Jackson Jr. |url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/2022/10/20/santi-aldama-shines-for-memphis-grizzlies-against-new-york-knicks/69564539007/ |access-date=March 16, 2023 |website=The Commercial Appeal}} He made his first career start in the team's season opener on 19 October, recording a double-double of 18 points and eleven rebounds in a 115–112 overtime win over the New York Knicks.{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Clay |date=October 19, 2022 |title=MORANT'S 34 POINTS LEAD GRIZZLIES TO OT WIN OVER KNICKS |url=https://www.nba.com/game/0022200009 |access-date=March 16, 2023 |website=NBA.com}} On 2 February 2023, Aldama scored a career-high 21 points, alongside ten rebounds, in a 128–113 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.{{Cite web |last=Withers |first=Tom |date=February 3, 2023 |title=CAVS ALL-STAR MITCHELL CALLS GRIZZLIES' BROOKS DIRTY PLAYER |url=https://www.nba.com/game/0022200779 |access-date=March 16, 2023 |website=NBA.com}}

On 26 April 2025, during the first round of the playoffs, Aldama recorded 23 points, nine rebounds and three assists in a 117–115 Game 4 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, eliminating the Grizzlies from the playoffs.{{Cite web |title=Thunder complete sweep of Grizzlies, reach Western Conference semifinals with 117-115 victory |url=https://www.nba.com/game/okc-vs-mem-0042400144 |access-date=April 28, 2025 |website=NBA}}

Aldama made his national team debut for Spain at the 2017 FIBA U16 European Championship in Podgorica, Montenegro, averaging nine points and 5.4 rebounds per game.{{cite web |title=Santiago Aldama's profile: 2017 FIBA U16 European Championship |url=https://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/player/p/pid/100238026/sid/13087/tid/362/_/2017_FIBA_U16_European_Championship/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012152529/https://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/player/p/pid/100238026/sid/13087/tid/362/_/2017_FIBA_U16_European_Championship/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 October 2019 |publisher=FIBA |accessdate=9 October 2019}} He led his team to a gold medal at the 2019 FIBA U18 European Championship in Volos, Greece, averaging 18 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.9 steals per game. Aldama was named tournament most valuable player (MVP) and joined his teammate Usman Garuba on the All-Star Five.{{cite web |title=Unstoppable Aldama headlines the All-Star Five of the FIBA U18 European Championship |url=http://www.fiba.basketball/europe/u18/2019/news/unstoppable-aldama-headlines-the-all-star-five-of-the-fiba-u18-european-championship |publisher=FIBA |accessdate=9 October 2019 |date=4 August 2019}}

{{NBA player statistics legend}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2021}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Memphis

| 32 || 0 || 11.2 || .402 || .125 || .625 || 2.7 || .7 || .2 || .3 || 4.1

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2022}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Memphis

| 77 || 20 || 21.8 || .470 || .353 || .750 || 4.8 || 1.3 || .6 || .6 || 9.0

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2023}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Memphis

| 61 || 35 || 26.5 || .435 || .349 || .621 || 5.8 || 2.3 || .7 || .9 || 10.7

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2024}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Memphis

| 65 || 16 || 25.5 || .483 || .368 || .691 || 6.4 || 2.9 || .8 || .4 || 12.5

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 235 || 71 || 22.6 || .459 || .345 || .692 || 5.2 || 1.9 || .6 || .6 || 9.8

{{S-end}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2023

| style="text-align:left;"| Memphis

| 6 || 0 || 16.8 || .455 || .467 || 1.000 || 4.3 || 1.2 || .5 || .0 || 6.5

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2025

| style="text-align:left;"| Memphis

| 4 || 1 || 30.5 || .477 || .417 || {{sort|-|–}} || 6.0 || 1.8 || .0 || .3 || 13.0

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 10 || 1 || 22.3 || .468 || .436 || 1.000 || 5.0 || 1.4 || .3 || .1 || 9.1

{{S-end}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20

| style="text-align:left;"| Loyola

| 10 || 9 || 30.4 || .459 || .217 || .515 || 7.6 || 2.1 || .9 || 1.7 || 15.2

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21

| style="text-align:left;"| Loyola

| 17 || 17 || 35.0 || .513 || .368 || .686 || 10.1 || 2.3 || 1.0 || 1.7 || 21.2

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 27 || 26 || 33.3 || .495 || .306 || .639 || 9.2 || 2.2 || 1.0 || 1.7 || 19.0

{{S-end}}

Aldama's father, Santiago Aldama, played professional basketball in Spain and Portugal and joined the Spanish national team at the 1992 Summer Olympics. His uncle, {{ill|Santi Toledo|es}}, also played professional basketball in Spain, Italy and Portugal.{{cite web |title=Two Sign National Letters Of Intent With Loyola Men's Basketball |url=https://loyolagreyhounds.com/news/2018/11/15/two-sign-national-letters-of-intent-with-loyola-mens-basketball.aspx |publisher=Loyola University Maryland |accessdate=30 September 2019 |date=15 November 2018}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{basketball stats}}
• [https://loyolagreyhounds.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8378 Loyola Greyhounds bio]
• [https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/santi-aldama-1.html Santi Aldama] – college basketball player statistics at Sports Reference
• [https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/athlete/santi-aldama_1958458 Santi Aldama] at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics
• {{Olympics.com profile|santiago-aldama|Santiago Aldama}}
• [https://esp.coe.es/atleta/santiago-aldama/410494/ Santiago Aldama – COE – Paris 2024] {{in lang|es}}
• [https://www.seleccionbaloncesto.es/Componente.aspx?c=1695808 Santiago Aldama Toledo] at FEB {{in lang|es}}

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Category:2001 births

Category:Living people

Category:2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup players

Category:21st-century Spanish sportsmen

Category:Basketball players at the 2024 Summer Olympics

Category:Centers (basketball)

Category:Loyola Greyhounds men's basketball players

Category:Memphis Grizzlies players

Category:Memphis Hustle players

Category:NBA players from Spain

Category:Olympic basketball players for Spain

Category:Power forwards

Category:Spanish expatriate basketball people in the United States

Category:Spanish men's basketball players

Category:Sportspeople from Las Palmas

Category:Utah Jazz draft picks