Santi Aldama

Santiago Aldama Toledo Bio

Santiago Aldama Toledo (born January 10, 2001) is a Spanish professional basketball player who currently serves as a power forward and center for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The 7-foot-0-inch (2.13 m) big man from Las Palmas, Spain, was selected with the 30th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz before his rights were traded to Memphis. Aldama has emerged as a promising young talent in the NBA following an impressive collegiate career at Loyola University Maryland, where he earned First-team All-Patriot League honors and showcased his ability to dominate at both ends of the floor. He comes from a basketball family, as his father, Santiago Aldama, represented Spain at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

Early Life and Background

Santiago Aldama Toledo was born and raised in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain. He began playing basketball at the age of three, inspired by his father Santiago Aldama and his uncle Santi Toledo, both of whom enjoyed professional basketball careers in Spain and abroad. Growing up in a basketball household, Aldama naturally developed a passion for the sport at a young age and idolized Spanish legends Pau Gasol and Juan Carlos Navarro, as well as American superstar Kobe Bryant.

Aldama attended Canterbury Basketball Academy in Las Palmas for his high school career. Despite receiving offers from prominent Spanish clubs including FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Gran Canaria, he chose to remain at Canterbury, demonstrating his commitment to his development path. At the 2017 Spanish Under-16 Championship, Aldama averaged 18.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while playing alongside future NBA prospect Oumar Ballo. His performance helped Canterbury achieve a surprising third-place finish behind Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Path to Professional Basketball

To further his development, Aldama played for the FC Barcelona under-18 team on loan during the 2018 Adidas Next Generation Tournament qualifiers held in Ciutat de L’Hospitalet. This experience against top European youth competition helped refine his skills and prepared him for the next stage of his basketball journey. His strong play continued to attract attention from college programs across the United States.

On August 5, 2019, Aldama announced his commitment to play college basketball at Loyola University Maryland. He was drawn to the program partly because his father knew assistant coach Ivo Simović, and Aldama also harbored aspirations of pursuing a business career after his playing days. Despite being rated as a four-star recruit and considered a high-major talent, his decision to join a mid-major program surprised many analysts. Evan Daniels of 247Sports.com described him as “one of the biggest college-bound international steals in quite a while.” He had received a full scholarship offer from Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid but chose the American college route instead.

Santiago Aldama Toledo Career

College Years at Loyola Maryland (2019–2021)

Aldama faced an early setback during his freshman season, missing the first three months due to a knee injury that required surgery. He made his collegiate debut on February 1, 2020, scoring 11 points in 17 minutes during a 79–73 victory over Navy. Despite the limited action, Aldama showed flashes of his potential and was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week three times in a four-week span. He finished the regular season named to the Patriot League All-Rookie Team and posted a season-high 23 points in a first-round tournament loss to Lehigh on March 3. In just 10 games as a freshman, he averaged 15.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game.

As a sophomore during the 2020–2021 season, Aldama elevated his game to an elite level. On February 13, 2021, he recorded a remarkable 30 points and 22 rebounds in a 97–94 triple-overtime loss to Lafayette, setting the program record and matching Adonal Foyle’s Patriot League record for rebounds in a single game. He followed this with a career-high 33 points and 12 rebounds on March 10, shooting 13-of-15 from the field in a Patriot League tournament semifinal victory over Army that propelled Loyola to its first-ever conference final. For the season, Aldama averaged 21.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game, earning him First-team All-Patriot League recognition. He declared for the 2021 NBA Draft on April 14 while maintaining his college eligibility and ultimately decided to remain in the draft.

Memphis Grizzlies Breakthrough (2021–Present)

Aldama was selected with the 30th overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz, though his rights were immediately traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. On August 8, 2021, Memphis officially announced they had signed the young Spanish big man to his rookie contract. He made an immediate impact in his first professional season, recording a season-high 18 points with 10 rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block in a 152–79 blowout victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 2, 2021.

During the 2022 NBA Summer League, Aldama showcased his development by joining the Grizzlies’ roster and earning a spot on the All-NBA Summer League Second Team on July 18, 2022. Entering the 2022–2023 season with Jaren Jackson Jr. sidelined, Aldama was named the Grizzlies’ starting power forward. He delivered in his first career start on October 19, recording a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds in a dramatic 115–112 overtime victory over the New York Knicks. On February 2, 2023, Aldama set a new career high with 21 points to go along with 10 rebounds in a 128–113 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The 2024–2025 season saw Aldama appear in 65 games with 16 starts, averaging 12.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. His most memorable performance came during the first round of the playoffs on April 26, 2025, when he recorded 23 points, nine rebounds, and three assists in a 117–115 Game 4 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Though the Grizzlies were eliminated from the playoffs, Aldama’s performance signaled his readiness for a larger role. On June 30, 2025, he re-signed with Memphis on a lucrative three-year, $52.5 million contract extension.

During the 2025–2026 season, Aldama continued his progression, appearing in 43 games with 11 starts while averaging 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. However, his season was cut short when he underwent an arthroscopic procedure on March 16, 2026, receiving an orthobiologic injection to address ongoing discomfort in the trochlear compartment of his right knee. The injury forced him to miss the remainder of the campaign, but his trajectory suggests he will return as an important piece of Memphis’s frontcourt rotation.

Playing Style and Strengths

Aldama possesses ideal size for an NBA big man at 7 feet tall with a 215-pound frame. His skill set combines traditional low-post scoring ability with modern floor-spacing capability, allowing him to space the floor as a stretch four or dominate the paint as a center. He demonstrates excellent rebounding instincts, with a particular flair for offensive boards, and protects the rim with solid shot-blocking timing. His court vision and passing ability exceed what is typical for players his size, making him a versatile weapon in offensive sets. His basketball IQ, honed through years of European development and reinforced by his collegiate experience, allows him to make smart decisions in high-pressure situations.

Notable Achievements and Milestones

Throughout his career, Aldama has accumulated several significant accomplishments. His MVP performance at the 2019 FIBA U18 European Championship in Volos, Greece, where he averaged 18 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 1.9 steals per game, announced his arrival on the international stage. At the collegiate level, his 30-point, 22-rebound performance against Lafayette set Loyola Maryland’s single-game rebounding record. His first career start with the Grizzlies against the Knicks produced an immediate double-double, demonstrating his ability to contribute at the NBA level from day one.

Santiago Aldama Toledo Career Statistics

Aldama has established himself as a consistent contributor in the NBA while maintaining the high-level production that characterized his college career. His steady improvement year over year reflects his dedication to refining his craft and adapting to the professional game. His international experience with Spain’s youth national teams provided him with a competitive foundation that has translated well to the NBA’s demands.

Career Highs and Records

Aldama’s most impressive statistical performances include his 33-point college game against Army, his 30-point, 22-rebound college masterpiece versus Lafayette, and his 23-point playoff performance against Oklahoma City. He holds the Loyola Maryland single-game rebounding record with 22 boards against Lafayette and matched Adonal Foyle’s Patriot League record in the same game. In the NBA, he has recorded multiple double-doubles and continues to build his career-high statistics with each passing season.

International Competition Highlights

Before his professional career, Aldama represented Spain at multiple youth international tournaments. He made his national team debut at the 2017 FIBA U16 European Championship in Podgorica, Montenegro, where he averaged nine points and 5.4 rebounds per game. His crowning achievement came at the 2019 FIBA U18 European Championship, where he led Spain to a gold medal and earned tournament MVP honors while being named to the All-Star Five alongside teammate Usman Garuba.

Family Background

Basketball Lineage

Aldama comes from a distinguished basketball family. His father, Santiago Aldama, played professional basketball in Spain and Portugal before joining the Spanish national team at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. This family legacy provided Santi with expert guidance from an early age, accelerating his development and exposing him to the professional game at a young age. His uncle, Santi Toledo, also enjoyed a professional basketball career, playing in Spain, Italy, and Portugal, further reinforcing the family’s basketball tradition.

Personal Life

Beyond basketball, Aldama has expressed interest in pursuing a business career following his playing days. His decision to attend Loyola Maryland was influenced partly by this entrepreneurial aspiration, as he saw value in obtaining an American education while developing his basketball skills. He maintains a presence on social media and has cultivated a growing fanbase in both Spain and the United States as his NBA career progresses.

2025 Season Performance

The 2024–2025 NBA season represented a breakthrough year for Aldama in many respects. After two seasons of limited minutes behind established frontcourt players, he carved out a consistent role in the Grizzlies’ rotation, appearing in 65 games with 16 starts. His averages of 12.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists demonstrated his ability to contribute across multiple statistical categories. His chemistry with the team’s core players continued to develop, and his versatility allowed head coach Taylor Jenkins to use him in various lineup configurations depending on matchups and game situations.

The postseason provided Aldama with his most significant career moment to that point. Facing the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round, he recorded 23 points, nine rebounds, and three assists in Game 4, nearly leading the undermanned Grizzlies to a crucial victory. Though Memphis was eliminated, Aldama’s performance validated his potential as a future centerpiece player. Following the season’s conclusion, the organization rewarded his progress with a three-year, $52.5 million contract extension, signaling their belief in his long-term ceiling. The injury that ended his 2025–2026 season prematurely represents a setback, but his career trajectory remains promising as he works toward full recovery.