Santi Aldama Position

The Spanish youngster Santi Aldama is one of the most versatile players the Memphis team has as of April 2025. Just 22 years of age, Santi Aldama is considered a great asset to have in the team. Credit for his early rise to stardom goes to his ability to adapt to the game situations and play different roles as per the team’s requirements. Drafted in the 2021 NBA draft as the 30th pick from Round 1 by the Memphis Grizzlies, Aldama has become a key contributor in the Grizzlies' rotation.

Santiago Aldama Toledo, the Grizzlies' star, is the son of former Spanish and Portuguese basketball player Santiago Aldama Alesón. Born in Spain, Santi Aldama has a basketball background, with his father and uncle playing at the professional level. With great height and early basketball training, Aldama developed into a bright basketball prodigy. He played college basketball in the US and was considered one of the international steals of his generation. In his young NBA career, as of April 2025, Aldema has played more than 200 matches and has averaged 9.8 points, along with 5.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. As we delve into Santi Aldama's playing position, we uncover the multifaceted nature of his game and the impact it has on the evolving landscape of modern basketball.

Santi Aldama's playing position

Playing at the Power Forward position

In this role, the offensive arsenal of Santi Aldama shines through. Blessed with the ability to shoot from beyond the arc and score from mid-range, he stretches opposing defences and creates spacing on the court. With the presence of Jarren Jackson Jr near the rim, Aldama was widely used at the number four position. His shooting stroke, coupled with his size, makes him a matchup nightmare for traditional power forwards. At a very young age, Aldama settled himself as a bright player for the PF position. His court vision and decision-making enable him to facilitate ball movement and create scoring opportunities for his teammates.

Playing at the Small Forward position

Santi Aldama's versatility extends to the small forward position as well. The towering presence at the small forward position allowed his team to be more aggressive on the rim and also helped them to defend the wings with the size. Aldama possesses the mobility to guard multiple positions on the defensive end. While his small forward role is more of a defensive one, his respectable range shooting makes him an additional threat on the wing. This adaptability is crucial in the modern game, where players often switch defensive assignments and need to guard both guards and forwards.

Playing as Center for smaller lineups

The naturally gifted 7-footer was even used as a center on some occasions with smaller opponents on the court. His presence stretches the opponent's defense and even helps the Grizzlies to dominate the paint area. Utilizing his versatility to exploit mismatches against bigger, less agile opponents, the Memphis team punished their opponents on many occasions. When guarding the center position, Aldama's combination of length and defensive skills allows him to protect the rim and contest shots effectively. This adaptability to slide into the center role demonstrates his willingness to embrace various roles and contribute wherever his team needs him most.

Santi Aldama’s Number

Aldama has worn jersey number 7 throughout his career. He was the 14th Grizzlies star to wear jersey number 7, the most famous one was Wayne Seldon, who wore it for 2 years.