Santi Aldama Bio
Santiago Aldama Toledo, known professionally as Santi Aldama, is a Spanish professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on January 10, 2001, in Las Palmas, Spain, he plays the power forward position and has become one of the more versatile international forwards in the league. Standing at 7 feet 0 inches tall and weighing around 220 pounds, Aldama combines size with outside shooting and passing ability.
A former first-round pick, Aldama has developed into a steady contributor for Memphis since joining the franchise in 2021. His professional journey includes a standout college career at Loyola Maryland and an MVP award at the international youth level. He continues to represent Spain on the global stage and remains under contract with the Grizzlies through 2028.
Early Life and Background
Santiago Aldama Toledo was raised in Las Palmas, located on the island of Gran Canaria, Spain. He grew up surrounded by basketball, as his father, Santiago Aldama, played professionally in Spain and Portugal, while his uncle, Santi Toledo, also competed at the professional level in Spain, Italy, and Portugal. This family connection gave Aldama an early understanding of the demands of the sport and helped shape his career path.
He began playing basketball at the age of three, drawn to the game by his father and uncle. Growing up, Aldama idolized players such as Pau Gasol, Juan Carlos Navarro, and Kobe Bryant, who influenced his style and approach to the sport. He attended Canterbury Academy in Las Palmas, where he continued to develop his game.
Despite receiving offers from major Spanish clubs including FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Gran Canaria, Aldama chose to stay with Canterbury Academy. This decision allowed him to mature in a familiar environment before eventually pursuing opportunities abroad.
Path to Basketball
At the 2017 Spanish Under-16 Championship, Aldama played for Canterbury alongside Oumar Ballo, averaging 18.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. Canterbury finished third behind FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, a notable achievement for a smaller program. In 2018, he played on loan with the FC Barcelona under-18 team during the Adidas Next Generation tournament qualifiers in L’Hospitalet.
Aldama made his national team debut for Spain at the 2017 FIBA U16 European Championship in Podgorica, Montenegro, where he averaged 9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Two years later, he led Spain to a gold medal at the 2019 FIBA U18 European Championship in Volos, Greece, posting averages of 18 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 1.9 steals per game. His dominant play earned him tournament Most Valuable Player honors.
On August 5, 2019, Aldama announced his commitment to play college basketball at Loyola Maryland in the United States. He was drawn to the school partly because his father knew assistant coach Ivo Simović, and he appreciated the program’s environment during a campus visit in June. Although rated as a four-star recruit, his choice of a mid-major program surprised many analysts, with Evan Daniels of 247Sports.com calling him one of the biggest college-bound international steals in recent memory.
Santi Aldama Career
Early Career (2020-2021)
Aldama missed the first three months of his freshman season at Loyola Maryland after undergoing knee surgery. He made his collegiate debut on February 1, 2020, scoring 11 points in 17 minutes during a 79-73 win over Navy. He was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week three times within four weeks and earned a spot on the Patriot League All-Rookie Team at the end of the regular season. On March 3, 2020, he scored a season-high 23 points in a loss to Lehigh in the Patriot League tournament.
As a sophomore, Aldama became one of the top players in the Patriot League. On February 13, 2021, he recorded 30 points and 22 rebounds in a triple-overtime loss to Lafayette, tying Adonal Foyle’s Patriot League record for rebounds in a single game and setting a new Loyola program record. On March 10, 2021, he scored a career-high 33 points with 12 rebounds against Army in the Patriot League tournament semifinals, leading Loyola to its first-ever Patriot League final. He averaged 21.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game and was named First Team All-Patriot League. On April 14, 2021, he declared for the 2021 NBA draft.
Memphis Grizzlies Breakthrough (2021-Present)
Aldama was selected with the 30th overall pick of the 2021 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz. His draft rights were later traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, and on August 8, 2021, the team announced that Aldama had signed his first NBA contract. He made an immediate impact during his rookie season, scoring a season-high 18 points with 10 rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block in a 152-79 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 2, 2021.
In the summer of 2022, Aldama joined the Grizzlies’ NBA Summer League roster and was named to the All-NBA Summer League Second Team. With Jaren Jackson Jr. sidelined, Aldama was named the Grizzlies’ starting power forward to open the 2022-23 season. On October 19, 2022, he recorded 18 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double in a 115-112 overtime win over the New York Knicks. On February 2, 2023, he scored a career-high 21 points alongside 10 rebounds against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Driving Style and Strengths
Aldama is recognized for his versatility as a modern forward, capable of stretching the floor with his shooting while contributing as a rebounder and passer. His combination of size and skill allows him to play both inside and on the perimeter, making him a flexible offensive option for the Grizzlies.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Aldama’s most significant moments came during the 2024-25 NBA playoffs, when he scored 23 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and added three assists in a 117-115 Game 4 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 26, 2025. On June 30, 2025, he re-signed with Memphis on a three-year, $52.5 million contract, securing his future with the franchise through 2028.
Santi Aldama Career Wins
Aldama’s career accomplishments include a gold medal at the 2019 FIBA U18 European Championship, where he was named tournament MVP. At the college level, he earned Patriot League All-Rookie Team honors in 2020 and First Team All-Patriot League recognition in 2021. In the NBA, he was named to the All-NBA Summer League Second Team in 2022.
Memphis Grizzlies Highlights
During his time with the Grizzlies, Aldama has produced several standout performances, including a career-high 21 points against the Cavaliers in February 2023 and an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double against the Knicks in his first career start in October 2022. He appeared in 65 games during the 2024-25 season, including 16 starts, while averaging 12.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists.
Other Wins and Performances
Before turning professional, Aldama led Spain to gold at the 2019 FIBA U18 European Championship and earned MVP honors for his dominant play throughout the tournament. He also posted impressive numbers at the 2017 Spanish Under-16 Championship and represented Spain at multiple youth international events.
Santi Aldama Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Basketball runs deep in Aldama’s family. His father, Santiago Aldama, played professional basketball in Spain and Portugal and represented Spain at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. His uncle, Santi Toledo, also had a professional career that included stints in Spain, Italy, and Portugal.
Personal Life
Aldama remains connected to his Spanish roots and family while building his NBA career in the United States. His decision to attend Loyola Maryland was influenced by his father’s connection to the coaching staff, highlighting the close ties within his family.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2024-25 NBA season, Aldama appeared in 65 games for Memphis, including 16 starts, while averaging 12.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. His steady production helped the Grizzlies secure a playoff berth in the Western Conference.
In the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs, Aldama delivered a strong performance in Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, recording 23 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. Despite his efforts, the Grizzlies were eliminated with a 117-115 loss on April 26, 2025.
Following the season, Aldama secured his long-term future with the franchise by signing a three-year, $52.5 million contract extension on June 30, 2025. With this new deal running through 2028, he is positioned as a key piece of the Grizzlies’ core as the team looks to build toward future playoff success.