Santi Aldama is one of the latest multi-faceted international talents to make their way to the pros. Of Spanish origin, Aldama grew up in the city of Las Palmas. His father Santiago was a former professional basketball player, even adapting to the Spanish national team during the legendary 1992 Olympics. For this reason, Aldama was exposed to the sport early in his life and started playing. by age Three. After spending his formative years playing in leagues across Europe, Aldama signed on to Loyola University, where he would stage a fantastic two-year college career, averaging 19 points and 9.2. rebounds per game.
Yet when the Memphis Grizzlies selected Aldama 30th overall last July, there was apparently widespread astonishment among the Beale Street devotees (myself included). After all, names like Jacob Preston, Miles McBride, and Sharife Cooper were still on the board. Not to mention that Aldama handled the writing process in an interesting way, to say the least. He refused to train for anyone in person and went so far as persuade teams not to write it. It was later discovered that the reason was that Memphis had promised to choose Aldama. Nonetheless, many were still angry with the selection even after the news of Memphis’ long-standing interest.
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Why choose the guy who put big numbers on a bad team against mediocre Patriot League competition?
It’s a sentiment I’ve seen on social media, and to sum up Aldama’s college stint in that way is shortsighted. There have been countless small schools that have proven to be NBA stallions, one of the youngest and best being Ja Morant (who wasn’t exactly playing against the crème de la crème of college basketball during of the Ohio Valley Conference). The moral of the story: have faith in Zach Kleiman and company, because they were interested in Aldama for a reason: he is 6’11 “and has the skills to adapt to the modern NBA. ‘Aldama almost certainly won’t see the pitch during the season unless it’s garbage time, his encouraging performances this preseason have hinted he could be a rotating element down the line.
Arguably what stood out the most while watching Aldama this preseason was his ability to tear off the board. His first four rebound average (6.5) was tied for third with the Grizzlies despite ranking 13th in minutes played during that span. Specifically, Aldama showcased a great pair of hands and the means to defend himself when hitting with all four NBA paws for position.
Aldama caught nine duds against the Hawks on Oct. 9, the second-most of any Grizzly that night alongside Xavier Tillman. Below is Aldama’s most impressive. He uses his left forearm to prevent Danilo Gallinari (who has ten pounds on Aldama) from crushing the offensive glass, then secures the “one hand tied with his right”.
Maybe the rebound isn’t the biggest hole in Memphis’ lineup (yet). Jaren Jackson Jr. appears to have a new tenacity to curb rebounds since returning from injury; Steven Adams is practically a black hole on the boards (but not on the level of Valanciunas), and the Grizzlies have Clarke and Tillman to back them up. But this rotation of great men is far from being frozen in the long term. Adams, currently on a two-year deal, will likely be commercial fodder next summer. Then there’s the Clarke situation. He’s showcased an improved jumper this preseason, but Clarke could be disappointing in 2021-22 away from the rumor mill (he is expected to hit restricted free agency in 2023).
If either Clarke or Adams leave the next offseason, the rebound would become a need in Memphis. And even if this is just the preseason, Aldama’s masterful rebound shows he could fill that need.
Another takeaway from Aldama’s preseason stint was how well he moved without the ball. This development was a pleasant surprise – the draftniks viewed Aldama’s off-ball skills as a weakness of his entry into the NBA Draft. Being the snakehead for his teams at Loyola, he hasn’t had many opportunities to show off his cut chops. But now Aldama is no longer a primary scoring option, and he’s taking on his new role in stride.
Aldama converted 12 total field goals at the end of the preseason. Five, or 42% of them, are due to action away from the ball. Here, Ziaire Williams finds Aldama spinning to the cup in this beauty of a streak between the neophytes:
Aldama has proven himself to be an above average perimeter shooter and ball handler for someone of his stature before. It’s unique for a behemoth to be so confident when handling a rock or pulling a tree via a dribble transfer. However, let’s assume that Aldama can provide consistent rebounds and scores off the ball, coupled with his shooting and self-creation. In that case, it would (presumably) only be a matter of time until Taylor Jenkins seriously considered adding him to the rotation.
This year be sure to follow the Memphis Hustle as Aldama is set to play a big role with the club – his season with the Hustle will shape his future at Memphis. Hopefully he dominates.
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