NBA
SA
#7

Santi Aldama

Forward · Memphis Grizzlies · 7'0", 215 lb · Born Jan 10, 2001 · Las Palmas, Spain · Drafted 30th overall, 2021
🇪🇸 SpainStretch bigFloor-spacerLoyola Maryland
NBAMemphis GrizzliesForwards
Compare:vs Spencervs Cowardvs IIvs Stewartvs Morantvs Wells
In short

Santi Aldama is a 7-foot Spanish stretch forward-center for the Memphis Grizzlies — a versatile floor-spacing big who grew from a fringe rotation player into a key contributor. Drafted 30th in 2021 out of Loyola Maryland, he peaked at around 14 points, 6.7 rebounds, and nearly 3 assists a game, pairing size with three-point shooting and passing. He is the son of a 1992 Olympian.

Matchup model · next gameMedium confidenceWed, Nov 11
@Los Angeles LakersAggressive hedge & help
Proj. points
14
range 11.3–16.7
Line 14
50%
to go over
Team win
36%
110–114
Poi 14 Lean underReb 6.7 Lean overAss 2.9 Lean underPRA 23.6 Lean over
Likely on himMarcus Smart· 86 Perimeter DStrong defender
10+ pts91%15+ pts37%

Model lines Aldama at 14 pts (range 11.3–16.7) vs a 14 line — roughly a coin flip to clear it (50%).

Model favors Los Angeles Lakers (64%), projected 110–114, ~224 total at 96.5 pace.

Full matchup breakdown · all markets →
Balladex Matchup Model — modeled from real roster ratings, scoring baselines & defender-matchup history. Schedule, availability & head-to-head samples are illustrative in this prototype; production wires live schedule, injury & player-tracking feeds. Not betting advice.
✦ Ask anything about Aldama
The Aldama Story — narrated
Tap play to hear his story, told as a 90-second short.
🔊 Prototype uses your browser's built-in voice. Production would use a studio-grade AI narrator.

A 7-foot Spanish stretch forward-center — floor spacing and passing for the Grizzlies.

A U18 European MVP, Aldama played at Loyola Maryland before Memphis acquired him at pick 30 in 2021.

🇪🇸 Loyola MD · 30th, 2021Las Palmas

He grew steadily from a fringe rotation player into a versatile floor-spacing big.

Steady growthStretch big

He peaked at around 14 points, 6.7 rebounds, and nearly 3 assists a game.

14.0 / 6.7 / 2.9Key contributor

A 7-footer who spaces and passes, he re-signed on a three-year, $52.5M deal.

3 yr / $52.5MFloor-spacer
— end of story —
Want the full numbers? Open the breakdown →
PPG
14
2025-26
RPG
6.7
per game
APG
2.9
per game
FG%
.479
.350 from three
LIFE

Roots & the rise

A 7-foot Spanish stretch forward-center — floor spacing and passing for the Grizzlies.

Santi Aldama was born in Las Palmas, Spain, the son of a 1992 Olympian, and was the 2019 FIBA U18 European Championship MVP before a two-year college career at Loyola Maryland. Memphis acquired his rights after Utah drafted him 30th in 2021.

He grew steadily from a fringe rotation player into a versatile floor-spacing big — improving his shooting and passing each season to peak at around 14 points, 6.7 rebounds, and nearly 3 assists a game. A 7-footer who stretches the floor and makes plays, he re-signed on a three-year, $52.5 million deal.

Sources: Wikipedia, NBA.com, Basketball-Reference, ESPN.

BEYOND THE GAME

Beyond the game

Aldama comes from Spanish basketball lineage — his father, Santiago, played at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, and his uncle played professionally across Europe — and he was a decorated youth international (a U18 European MVP). His path through mid-major Loyola Maryland to a first-round pick was an uncommon one.

His on-court identity is floor-spacing size and playmaking — a 7-foot forward-center who shoots a reliable three (around 35-37% in recent seasons), passes well for a big (nearly 3 assists), and finishes efficiently inside. His developmental arc — from a rookie who shot 12% from three to a 14-point-a-game stretch big — reflects genuine growth into a versatile frontcourt piece.

PERSONALITY

The person

A versatile stretch forward-center — floor-spacing shooting, passing, and size.

Stretch bigA 7-footer who shoots a reliable three and spaces the floor.
PasserMakes plays for a big at nearly 3 assists a game.
Improved steadilyGrew from a fringe rookie into a key contributor.
PLAYER DNA

Archetype & ratings

Archetype
Mobile Stretch-Four · Creator
Temperament
Steady
Leadership
58/100
Scoring64
Playmaking46
Rebounding66
Perimeter D62
Rim protection48
Spacing62
Athleticism70
Clutch64
a mobile stretch-four and secondary creator
ANALYSIS

What the numbers say

Floor-spacing size and passing

Aldama's value is versatility at size — a 7-foot forward-center who shoots a reliable three (around 35-37%), passes well for a big (nearly 3 assists), and finishes efficiently inside. That floor-spacing and playmaking give Memphis a modern, connective frontcourt piece, and his steady growth to 14 points a game reflects a genuinely improving player.

A rising role

His developmental arc — from a rookie who shot 12% from three to a 14-point stretch big — shows real growth, and his three-year deal reflects Memphis's belief. His defense and durability are the areas to watch, but his combination of size, shooting, and passing makes him a valuable, versatile frontcourt contributor.

STATS

Season by season

Per game

SeasonGPMINPTSREBASTFG%3P%
2025-264327.914.06.72.9.479.350

Source: Basketball-Reference.

ADVANCED

Advanced & historical

Where he sits in history

College/youth2019 FIBA U18 European Championship MVP; a first-round pick out of mid-major Loyola Maryland
GrowthImproved from a 12%-three-point rookie to a 14-point-a-game stretch big
2025Re-signed on a three-year, $52.5 million contract

Hardware

1×
U18 Euro MVP (2019)
30th
Draft pick (2021)
OUTLOOK

Where it's headed

AI-generated · updated July 13, 2026

A versatile stretch forward-center on the rise — floor spacing and passing for the Grizzlies.

Aldama coming off a career-best but injury-shortened season established him as a legitimate floor-spacing big — a 7-footer who shoots, passes, and finishes. His defense and durability are the areas to watch, but his size, shooting, and playmaking make him a valuable, versatile frontcourt piece.

Floor spacingStrong
Passing (big)Strong
Interior finishingGood
Defense / durabilityDeveloping

Contract

Deal
3 yr / $52.5M signed 2025
Role
Stretch big versatile
Age
25 prime
Bottom line

A 7-foot Spanish stretch forward-center who grew into a 14-point floor-spacer with passing feel — a versatile, rising frontcourt piece for Memphis.

FAQ

Quick answers

What kind of player is Santi Aldama?

A versatile 7-foot stretch forward-center who shoots a reliable three, passes well for a big, and finishes efficiently inside.

Where is Santi Aldama from?

Las Palmas, Spain — the son of 1992 Olympian Santiago Aldama, and a 2019 FIBA U18 European MVP.

How has Santi Aldama developed?

Steadily — from a rookie who shot 12% from three to a floor-spacing big averaging around 14 points, 6.7 rebounds, and nearly 3 assists a game.