Santi Aldama, the rising star for the Memphis Grizzlies, recently opened up about the basketball figures who shaped his game and mindset. Aldama, who is having a standout season in his fourth NBA campaign, credits several players for inspiring his approach to the game. In an insightful conversation, he shared how his family’s basketball legacy intertwined with the influence of some of the sport’s greatest figures.
Aldama’s family is deeply embedded in basketball culture, with both his father and uncle having played professionally. However, the 24-year-old forward admits that his influences were shaped by watching NBA legends rather than family members.
“I didn’t really need to play. I never got to see them play,” Aldama told Cyro Asseo de Choch of HoopsHype, reflecting on his early years. Instead, the players who left a lasting impression on him were the ones he watched on TV during his formative years.
The duo that first caught his attention was the dynamic pairing of Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. Aldama fondly remembers watching them on the court. “Pau being Spanish and Kobe being one of the best ever,” Aldama explained, highlighting the significance of their partnership, both for the Los Angeles Lakers and for him personally. As a young basketball player, Aldama admired their teamwork, skill set, and competitive spirit, which made them unforgettable figures in his development.
In addition to Bryant and Gasol, Aldama also pointed to his fellow countryman, Marc Gasol, as a major influence. “A lot of national team basketball players and funny enough, Grizzlies players, too,” he said. Marc Gasol, a longtime Grizzly and NBA champion, epitomized the grit and determination Aldama strives to emulate in his own game. He drew inspiration from Gasol’s work ethic and his impact both offensively and defensively, especially on the defensive end where the elder Gasol was a force to be reckoned with.
Another player that Aldama admires is Dirk Nowitzki, the legendary German big man known for his signature fadeaway jumper and longevity in the NBA. “He’s just, I don’t know, a guy I’ve always liked—how he played, what he was about,” Aldama remarked. Nowitzki’s ability to revolutionize the role of the stretch four, combining size with shooting, is something Aldama has tried to integrate into his own game. His love for Nowitzki’s style reflects Aldama’s desire to bring a versatile skill set to the court.
This season, Aldama has been flourishing for the Grizzlies, averaging career-highs of 12.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 25.5 minutes per game. His offensive efficiency and ability to contribute across multiple areas have made him one of the key contributors on a competitive Memphis squad. As the Grizzlies (45-32) sit firmly in the playoff hunt, Aldama’s development has been crucial to their success.
