Santi Aldama, a basketball prodigy hailing from Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain, has rapidly ascended the ranks of the NBA, leaving an indelible mark on the sport. Born Santiago Aldama Toledo on January 10, 2001, to basketball lineage, his father, Santiago Aldama, and uncle, Santi Toledo, were both professional players, instilling in him a deep-rooted love for the game.

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Quick Facts

Name	Santi Aldama
Full Name	Santiago Aldama Toledo
Nick Name	Santi
Date of Birth	January 10, 2001
Age	22 Years Old
Birth Place	Las Palmas, Spain
Nationality	Spanish
Ethnicity	Hispanic
Zodiac Sign	Capricorn
Height	7 ft 0 in / 2.13 m/ 213 cm
Weight	215 lb/ 98 kg
Hair Color	Black
Eye Color	Black
Father’s Name	Santiago Aldama Sr
Mother’s Name	María Isabel Toledo Jiménez
Uncle’s Name	Santi Toledo
Siblings	Not available
High School	Canterbury Basketball Academy
Education	Graduated
University	Loyola University, Maryland
Relationship status	Probably single
Profession	Basketball Player
Position	Forward
Leagues	NBA
NBA Draft	2021
Playing Teams	Memphis Grizzlies (2021 – Present) Memphis Hustle (2021- 2022)
Jersey Number	7 (Grizzlies)
Notable Awards & Achievements	FIBA U18 European Championship MVP (2019) Gold at FIBA U18 European Championship
Net Worth	Approximately $4 million
Social Media	Instagram, Twitter
Merch	Signed Rookie Card

Santi Aldama Early Life & Education

Santi Aldama’s journey in basketball began with the roots deeply embedded in his family’s legacy. Born on January 10, 2001, in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain, he was raised by his father, Santiago Aldama, and mother, María Isabel Toledo Jiménez. Basketball was more than a sport; it was a familial tradition. Santi’s father, a former professional player who represented Spain at the 1992 Summer Olympics, and his uncle, Santi Toledo, who also played professionally for Spain, Italy, and Portugal, honed his skills.

The passion for the game was instilled early in Santi, who started dribbling a basketball at the tender age of three. His father and uncle were his primary coaches, guiding him through the sport’s nuances. Pau Gasol, Juan Carlos Navarro, and Kobe Bryant became his childhood idols, inspiring him to dream big in basketball. In an interview, Santi revealed that witnessing Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant win championships with the Lakers played a pivotal role in shaping his aspirations.

For his educational journey, Santi played basketball for the Canterbury Basketball Academy before graduating from Loyola University, Maryland. This marked the intersection of his academic pursuits and basketball career.

Age, Height & Weight

At 22, Santi Aldama stands tall at an impressive 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m). Weighing in at 215 lb (98 kg), he possesses a lean and athletic frame that perfectly complements the demands of professional basketball. These physical attributes, combined with his skill set, make him a formidable presence on the court.

Early Career

Santi Aldama’s trajectory in basketball reached an early peak when, at just sixteen, he made his international debut for Spain at the 2017 FIBA U16 European Championship in Podgorica, Montenegro. However, it was two years later, at the FIBA U18 European Championship in Volos, Greece, that he truly shone. Not only did he lead his team to a gold medal, but he was also honored with the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

The performance caught the attention of major Spanish clubs, including FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. Despite these lucrative offers, Santi boldly pursued college basketball in the United States. His choice of Loyola-Maryland surprised many experts, but it proved to be a strategic move. A brief setback from a knee injury during his freshman season did not deter him. Santi made a comeback, making his collegiate debut on February 1, 2020, and quickly establishing himself as a star player. Awards and championship victories followed, setting the stage for his NBA journey.

NBA Career

The 2021 NBA draft marked a significant milestone for Santi Aldama. He declared for the draft with high expectations, maintaining his college eligibility until the big day arrived. Picked with the 30th overall pick by the Utah Jazz, his rights were soon traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. The NBA Summer League in 2022 saw him shine, earning a spot on the All-NBA Summer League Second Team.

Santi’s performance on the NBA stage reflects his seamless transition and potential to make a lasting impact in professional basketball.

Girlfriend & Relationship

Off the court, Santi Aldama’s personal life has been a subject of interest. The power forward for the Memphis Grizzlies is in a relationship with Pilar Barquín, an Instagram influencer and alumna of Comillas Pontifical University. While the couple has not extensively shared details of their relationship, social media posts provide glimpses into their journey. Pilar Barquín, who graduated in July 2021, and Santi Aldama have been seen commenting on each other’s Instagram posts since December 2020, suggesting a relationship that predates their public acknowledgment in July 2021.

Net Worth

As of 2023, Santi Aldama boasts an estimated net worth between $1-$3 million, primarily from his lucrative four-year contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, signed in 2021. The agreement, totaling $10.24 million, includes option contracts for the last two years.

In the 2022-23 season, Aldama exercised an option for a salary of $2.19 million, showcasing his growing impact and value in the NBA.