By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Spain is a European powerhouse, but at the moment, only one Spanish player is representing the country in the NBA. Following greats like Pau and Marc Gasol, as well as Ricky Rubio, who all enjoyed successful careers overseas, Santi Aldama is now the lone Spanish player in the league.
The Memphis Grizzlies power forward believes this situation is bound to change soon.
“It will change over time. I don’t want to name names or pressure anyone—it’s not healthy. There is a young group that is coming on strong, and we will spend more time together in the summer. We have a future and people who are very capable. I was just starting out at university when I was 18, and now I think we have a very good group,” Aldama said in an interview with Spanish media, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.
Aldama is in his fourth NBA season and is posting career-best numbers, averaging 12.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. His goals for the future remain high and clear.
“I feel better every year, but I am still far from where I would like to be, and that is part of the logical evolution. In the end, I play for a goal, which is to win a ring and represent my country’s national team.”
However, Aldama is in the final year of the rookie contract he signed after being drafted 30th overall by the Grizzlies in 2021, raising uncertainty about his future with the Tennessee franchise.
“For me, it is true that I am not sure that I will be here, but I feel like this is my home, and we have a very good relationship that will last for many more years. But in the end, it can be a double-edged sword. There is the motivation to do better, but it can also fall into a somewhat selfish spiral. In the end, you try to play your game as best as possible and improve based on last year, when I knew my future. For me, it is about continuing to evolve individually but also collectively without thinking too much about what will happen. The reward comes from work,” Santi Aldama concluded.