NBA Comparison: Michael Bradley

Strengths: A stretch four, Aldama can hit from well beyond the 3 point arc … Is comfortable and confident shooting off the dribble from beyond the arc…Loves to create his own look, and has the handle, size and strength to get inside with ease…Has a polished post game, and can shoot over either shoulder…Can attack well in transition…Scored over 20 points per game for Loyola in his second season, and the Spainard also averaged ten boards and two assists per game…Was dominant throughout the season, and was able to get to his spots consistently…An offensive engine…Is a versatile piece, as he can hit shots from all over the court, can work in the low post, and has passing to play within the offense…Has great size at 6’11, 215-pounds, but often shoots and plays like a much smaller player…An ideal fit for the modern NBA, Aldama has shooting touch, defensive instincts, rebounds well, and is a fluid athlete…Shot over 50% from the floor and 37% from deep despite being the focus of defenses…Simply looked too good to be playing with Loyola, and was magnificent throughout the year…An efficient and talented scorer, Aldama can do it all…Can also be useful defensively, as his size and quickness helped him block 1.7 shots and grab one steal per game…Can guard centers through small forwards with his active hands, quickness and smarts defensively.

Weaknesses: Dominated, but did so against inferior competition playing at Loyola Maryland in the Patriot League…Often forced his own shot at the expense of better looks of teammates…Turned the ball over more than three times per game, and only dished it out twice per game…Doesn’t move well without the basketball…Slow player in general and may struggle to gain separation against high level athletes … Is a poor free throw shooter…Might struggle to find a role as he’s accustomed to being the star of the team, as his strengths are mostly utilized while having the ball, and shooting in large quantities…Does not have great passing instincts, limiting his potential that he could be a playmaker and create offense off the dribble…Might struggle to have the same scoring success against taller, stronger athletes…Is a good three-point shooter, but isn’t a sniper, and would be better off shooting off of assists rather than his own creation.

Notes: Full name: Santiago Aldama … Hails from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain …

Michael Hopp 8/1/21