In my new segment, 'Diggin' in the Tape', I review the top trending prospects in major college basketball and draft eligible prospects out of the G League. In my first episode, I review Loyola (Md.)'s Santi Aldama, a positionless 6'11 Spanish wing/forward with a versatile offensive toolset. While his team began the season on a covid break and this contributed to their slow start (in addition to playing Lafayette in 6 of their first 10 games), they have picked up steam recently and could be dangerous in a conference tournament scenario. Aldama has performed admirably, showcasing a more consistent stroke from long range to complement his high basketball IQ. In terms of his background, Aldama comes from a basketball family. Santi's father played professionally in Spain and Portugal, and ultimately for the Spanish National Team in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. Similarly, his uncle was a professional basketball player in Spain, Portugal, and Italy. Santi cemented his status as an elite prospect at the FIBA U18 European Championships, where he led his Spain team to a gold medal, earning an MVP after averaging 18.0ppg 7.6rpg 2.6apg [2.3bpg 1.9spg and posting the highest plus-minus rating at the event]. These performances placed him squarely on the NBA's radar.
In terms of his evaluation, most of the lure behind Aldama as a pro prospect stems from his intriguing offensive profile, coupled with his good measurables. Standing at 6'11, Santi functions primarily as a wing in Loyola (Md.)'s offense. He possesses excellent straight line quickness - bolstered by nimble feet - and thrives moving without the ball, demonstrating an advanced awareness of floor spacing. As such, Aldama is constantly in motion and he utilizes the threat of his outside shot to backdoor cut on his opponents. After beating his man, Aldama does a nice job finishing either bounce passes or lob plays over the top of the help defender. When he does not finish on these plays, the misses are mainly 'concentration misses', as opposed to instances where he was disrupted by contact.
He is also highly capable with the ball in his hands. At the college level, Santi thrives attacking the rim off the dribble. He sports an advanced handle relative to his size, though he lacks change of pace moves in his current arsenal.
Because his first step is just average and he does not employ 'change of direction' moves to keep his defender off balance, Aldama probably will not be able to create much separation against even quicker NBA wings. With that said, due to his excellent size and play strength, Aldama will be able to shoot over the top of most NBA perimeter defenders. Conversely, if he is matched up with a traditional post player, Santi has the requisite foot speed, long strides, and handle to beat his man to the basket or draw a foul. When on the move, Aldama is capable shooting a fading intermediary shot (similar to a floater but with both hands on the ball), finishing at the rim through contact or kicking it out to an open teammate. While he is not an explosive vertical athlete, Aldama is an aggressive player who will look to dunk on his opponents, as he embraces the physicality of the game.
When presented with a mismatch in the low post, Santi utilizes decent footwork, either spinning in the lane or pivoting / reverse pivoting around his man for an easy basket.
With that said, Aldama does not possess the lower body strength to consistently seal his man at the next level, and will likely only post up when facing a mismatch. However, Aldama excels in the faceup game and will make a living shooting over the top of smaller wings at the next level.
To complement his versatile interior game, Santi Aldama has made significant strides as a three point shooter, hitting 35.0% of his attempts from beyond the arc this season, up from 21.7% his freshman year. When open, Aldama shoots with confidence and does a nice job of keeping defenders honest, utilizing the threat of his shot to attack off the bounce. He is adept at shooting both off the dribble and off the catch.
Due to his tremendous spatial awareness, Santi does an excellent job moving to open spots on the floor while his teammates are attacking the basket, leading to easy looks from the perimeter.
Though he has improved his three point shooting accuracy this season, Aldama must continue to refine his shooting stroke (still a 65.1% FT shooter) in order to see more consistent results. In particular, Aldama should probably focus on his body position/angle relative to his shot and the weight distribution of his body before he rises up into a shooting motion. Santi also has a habit of flailing one foot out when heavily contested - something that will lead to offensive fouls at the next level ("The Reggie Miller" rule has been a point of emphasis for years now).
As such, his shooting tends to suffer under duress and he misses very badly on occasion.
At other times, Aldama does finish through contact on his perimeter shots. .
In terms of his vision, Aldama is an unselfish passer, who regularly finds open teammates either on his straight line drives or out of the post. Santi makes the right plays, and consequently his 18.1 Assist Rate ranks 13th in the Patriot League.
He will have to continue to develop his explosiveness off the dribble so that he can operate as a primary ball handler in pick and roll sets. With that said, due to his long strides and solid mobility, Aldama could function as a screener in these sets and either dive to the rim or fade out to the perimeter for an open jumper (provided he extends his range and improves his shooting base).
On the glass, Santi is very active and has a good nose for the ball. His 30.5% Defensive Rebounding % is 9th in DI.
Despite his lack of explosive leaping ability, Santi is still a very active offensive rebounder when he positions himself in the paint due to his quick second jump, which he often utilizes to tap in his own misses.
If Santi Aldama continues to physically develop at the next level, his size - coupled with his excellent nose for the ball (and anticipation ability) - should enable him to compete on the glass.
In terms of his potential on the defensive end, Aldama is a bit enigmatic on this side of the floor. Though he may have the size and quickness to defend multiple positions (and switch) at the next level, Santi Aldama does not have the lateral quickness to keep up with elite athletes on the wing.
He also might struggle with the physicality of interior players in the NBA, given his tendency to concede deep post position. As noted previously, Aldama does not possess the lower body strength and leverage to fight for post position with bigger players.
Additionally, because he is not much of a vertical athlete, Aldama will not function as a rim protector at the next level. At Loyola (Md.), though, Aldama has been fairly productive on the defensive end, blocking shots and walling up (without fouling) when he is met at the rim.
He possesses really good hands, consistently deflecting the ball from his opponents, and is a pest in passing lanes.
Santi is a very good help defender, and does a nice job containing dribble penetration, often guiding his man into the backline help. Though he moves his feet well relative to his size, Aldama rarely beats his man to the spot to take a charge. At times, he has a tendency of over-helping, which can lead to open baskets.
Despite this, Aldama plays fundamentally sound closeout defense on three point shooters, which will translate to the next level. Overall, Santi possesses intriguing versatility to switch at a higher level, and his length will certainly disrupt three point shooters. I anticipate that he may struggle to defend one-on-one on the wing (with no backline help) and when isolated in the post, until he works with NBA strength trainers to improve his physical profile.
All in all, Aldama is an intriguing 6'11 prospect with the versatility to defend and function in several different roles for a team. As he improves physically and tweaks his shooting form to become more consistent, he should continue to grow as a player. Look for him to receive some late 1st round consideration if he decides to enter the 2021 draft (with upside potential).
Image Courtesy of Mid-Major Madness; Video Courtesy of ESPN+
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