Santi Aldama enters adulthood in the NBA: ‘The biggest challenge is defense’

After two seasons in which he took advantage of every opportunity, Santi Aldama facing perhaps his most important course NBA So far, he has been given more responsibility and there is a possibility of a contract extension.

Under current contract terms Aldamaas he is a player selected in the first round. grizzlies They can exercise this entire season into that extension, which tends to get extended for another four or five years on a regular basis.

These new conditions will come into effect from the 2025/2026 season, making them an important step that could support your entire career in the best basketball league on the planet.

Aldama enters its third season NBAThis is all about the project. grizzlies and according to the plan established for him, memphis. He’s one of the veterans in the locker room and values ​​making decisions and listening.

The reason he is so respected is not least because of his remarkable evolution.From the first year he shared minutes with the team NBA and, G leaguein his second year, he even started the entire first half of the season due to an injury to Jaren Jackson Jr.

your technician, taylor jenkinsit’s clear that evolving his physique and taking new steps defensively are key to his improvement as a player.

“We’ve talked to him and he’s done a great job physically, which we’ve already seen on the national team, he can block, he can rebound, he has the ability to make an impact on both sides of the court.” he told EFE.

“The biggest challenge will be defense. He will have to play as a number four a lot of the time, but we have changed the blocking a lot and that will force him to protect outside players as well. .With them he will be able to use his height and wingspan to his advantage,” he added.

to Santi Aldama It’s up to you to maintain this progress year after year. In his first two seasons, NBAThe Canary Islander played in 32 to 77 games, 20 of which as a starter.

in memphis They have a reason to be happy. His stats improved, playing 21 minutes instead of 11, averaging 9 points instead of 4, 1.3 assists instead of 0.7, and 4.8 rebounds instead of 2.7.

Desmond Bane He came to the team a year ago and has shared a lot. Aldamaknows him well and has experienced this evolution of the Spanish language firsthand.

“The team will continue to need him to score and create plays. He’s coming back very well and will be a very important piece of our second unit.” Santi “He can do a lot of things, he can shoot, he can pass, he can dribble… he has a lot to contribute to this team,” the U.S. forward told EFE. grizzlies.

Make a good impression on newcomers derrick rosea star who knows and watches the league well. Aldama The canary does not wrinkle, no matter who is in front of him.

“He doesn’t care about who’s in front of him. Even though he’s a superstar in the league, he’s young, but he wants to compete. I love the way he competes, the way he selects his shots; I love that about him: “He has the confidence to shoot the basket.” Rose For EFE.

and derrick rose, Aldama He has a very interesting anecdote. He visited the island when he was only 13 years old. team usa And he posed for a photo with his current partner, which “made the veteran feel older.”

“It was great to have the opportunity to travel around the world and meet people, and the same thing happened to me. bogdanovicof, hawkswhen I went to Serbia.There are photos with many current players. NBA Not only when they were children; united states of americaall over the world,” he admitted with a laugh. derrick rose.

After 20 years, it has come to represent the Spanish people broadly. NBAThis 2023/2024 season starts with: Santi Aldama As the only active player on the team with a full-time contract. NBA.

What is a “two-way” contract? Usman Garba you can play with golden state warriors, But it would be normal for him to be helping the G League team most of the time. Another Spaniard, ricky rubio He is overcoming mental health issues, but it is unclear when he will return.

This brings focus Santi Aldamathe player who wears the same shirt as the last solo Spaniard in North American basketball. pau gasol In the first year of joining the company memphis grizzlies After being drafted.

Santi Aldama I’ve seen how popular it is. Spain I have grown through past participation. world He has played well with the national team and will be someone to follow in the upcoming season.