NBA
Aldama joins the Memphis Grizzlies on a three-year deal
Santi Aldama signs for Grizzlies and starts a new adventure in the best league in the world. The Gasol brothers and Juan Carlos Navarro spent time in Memphis.
Spanish center Santi Aldama, the 30th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, signed his first rookie contract guaranteed for three years. The 20-year-old, who graduated from the University of Maryland, realises his dream of playing in the best league in the world.
To get Aldama, who many have drawn comparisons with compatriot Marc Gasol, the Grizzlies traded the 40th pick and two future second-round university picks. The Spaniard was selected for the 2020-21 All-Patriot League First Team after averaging 21.2 points; 10.1 rebounds; 2.3 assists; 1.00 steals and 1.71 blocks in 35.0 minutes during the 17 games he took part in during his second year at Loyola-Maryland.
Zaire Williams on board
The Grizzlies, who also have an agreement in place for 19-year-old small forward Zaire Williams, the No.10 pick now have 15 players with guaranteed contracts which suggests their summer trading is now over. Williams said, “I love the energy that the whole organization has from the front office to the players and coaches. I feel I could fit perfectly as a locker room guy and rookie just learning and developing. This is the perfect organization for me”.