Por Eurohoops team/ [email protected]
Spain is a European power, but currently only one Spanish player represents the country in the NBA. Following greats like Pau and Marc Gasol, as well as Ricky Rubio, who enjoyed successful careers abroad, Santi Aldama is now the only Spanish player in the league.
The Memphis Grizzlies power forward believes this situation is destined to change soon.
“It will change over time. I don’t want to name names or put pressure on anyone, it’s not healthy. There is a young group that is coming in strong and we will spend more time together in the summer. We have a future and very capable people. I was starting at university when I was 18 years old and now I think we have a very good group,” said Aldama as reported by Mundo Deportivo.
Aldama is in his fourth season in the NBA and is posting the best numbers of his career, averaging 12.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. His goals for the future remain high and clear.
“Every year I feel better, 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 one goal, which is to win a ring and represent my country’s team.”
However, Aldama is in the final year of the rookie contract he signed after being selected 30th overall in the draft by the Grizzlies in 2021, creating uncertainty about his future with the Tennessee franchise.
“For me it is true that personally I am not sure that I will be here, but I feel that this is like my house and we have a very good relationship that will last many more years. But in the end it can be a double-edged sword. There is the motivation to do better, but in the end they can fall into a somewhat selfish spiral. In the end you try to make your game as good as possible and improve based on last year, when I knew my future. For me it means continuing to evolve individually but also collectively without thinking too much about what will happen. The reward comes from work.”
