Santiago Aldamathe Memphis Grizzlies multi-purpose forward took a big leap in his fourth NBA season, embracing a bigger role and introduced his dynamic skill set as he approached the restricted free agency. Standing at 6 feet 11, Aldama thrives with increased offensive freedom, often playing as a front or even wing of a hybrid despite his 7 feet of foot frame.

In a recent interview with Hoopshype, Aldama discussed his journey, the impact of international theatre, and the coaching shift Tuomas iisalo.

Santiago Aldama: This is the way I like to play. I’m more used to going home. So it was definitely fun. And I think as I progress and gain more experience, it just keeps trending like that. But it was definitely a great jump.

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SA: I think some of them are experience. Like me, like me, I spent time working on my games over the summer. I am 24 years old. I think there will be steady progress over the next few years. Having time with the national team and playing a different role gave me confidence. So I think just putting it together and incorporate it into Grizzlies basketball has only helped me become a better player and help my team learn to win in the end.

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SA: I know it feels strange that it has a 7 footer to play three. But for me, it feels like I’m playing in that position. I grew up as a point guard, but for most of my life I actually played 2, 3, 4. So it’s natural for me. I want to be there. So, call it 3-4/5. So we try our best to fit the team. And like I said, the team wins and we are all good.

SA: I got a lot of insights because I had a family that played it. That was good. But I really didn’t need to play. I couldn’t see them playing. So I actually could watch the play – I’d say Kobe [Bryant] and Pow [Gasol] You know, it was the first big duo I’ve seen. Pau is Spanish and Kobe is one of the greatest ever. But even after that mark [Gasol]. There are also many national team basketball players and interesting Grizzlies players. after that Dirk Nowitzki. He’s just the guy I don’t know, I’ve always loved – how he played, what he was doing. So I think these three, four are probably my main references for basketball. Like I said, I don’t know, games have always been part of my family and are natural to me. Anything – I think the biggest game of basketball is something I enjoy.

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SA: Yes, I had a decent summer with him. He went to Spain. Ziaire Williams It was there too. We just spent a lot of time together. As I said, summer is good for cutting, but I consider it time to work. There are plenty of games throughout the season. We get individual cross-sessions, but during the summer, we feel we can really fit into certain things that don’t have five years of time during the season. Work on your body. And I’m lucky enough to play. So these three things helped me make progress every year. Then go in the summer and play with the national team.

SA: Although it doesn’t necessarily change styles, tweaking rules tweaks where you find benefits in the game. My first year with the national team was a bit difficult, especially since I was a basketball fan. I haven’t played European style basketball in four years. But in the end, it’s just for nothing. I see it as an additional experience. I can experience things that many teammates don’t. And, although I feel I am not lucky in a way, I am trying to take advantage of the opportunity.

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SA: Yes, it was amazing. Playing for your country is something you don’t think you can really fit anything. Playing basketball for your country is something I haven’t found yet to describe. But for me, it’s just fun. So, despite my rather young I have another role that has more of that leadership type role. It just makes me better, translate it here, translate NBA basketball there and find a way to find a way to win. I’m not interested in winning, and anything that interferes with it. So I’m just trying to find a way to win.

SA: Yes, understand that later. At the end of the day, I want to be where we have won and where we are fighting for the right thing. I think we did something great here. We have a great relationship here, so I hope to keep it that way. I just focus on taking it every day and it gets better every day. And such things take care of themselves.

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SA: This is definitely the first time that has happened in my career. So I’m very grateful Taylor [Jenkins]everything he gave me. But now with Tuoma, it feels like I’m off to a slightly fresh start. He has great ideas. I’m familiar with what he was doing in Europe and it was fantastic. And he’s funny enough because he mentions the particular coaches he uses as a reference, and I have friends who play for those coaches. So I actually see them playing basketball and I see not only the similarities, but the style of basketball is different. And just looking at a different perspective, you can talk about basketball with people who know it at a high level, and it’s fun to just have fun. I think you’re enjoying basketball. And the way the league is run and the way the team is run is definitely different. At the end of the day, basketball is basketball and you need players who want to buy for everything they need to win. And at the end of the day, if you have it, you will be able to succeed no matter what.

SA: Certainly I’m fine tuning things. We have not really changed much. We’ve been practicing for 4 or 5 days, like what. As part of the NBA regular season, I think we know our role, have a voice, understand what our introvert is, hold each other accountable to a very high level, know exactly what we should do. And in that way, there is no gray area.

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SA: Ah, that’s a good question. I think my typical gaming IQ knows time and score aggressively and defensively. I may not be the fastest, tallest or strongest, but I am in the right place at the right time. And I just feel there. I help guide my team to win more easily.

SA: I don’t think I’ll be at my peak yet. So almost everything. But I just keep growing my body. I can take on more challenges defensively. And offensively, I just want to be more physical. I just want to be able to beat guys offensively. So I can get myself in the position I want to participate in. It’s just a dunk, a layup or find an open teammate in a way that’s easier for me and gives my teammates time to take shots. Or defensively, they don’t get layups because I’m just getting faster. I can close the guy early. So I’m more of a being.

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SA: So, European basketball, just because you know, we have a team. [Grand Canaria]– A very high level team – where did I come from? And NBA basketball has to wake up at 2am and 2am. It’s a very tough negotiation with my mother. It wasn’t actually happening. The only game I actually got up late while I was doing my exams was Game 7, Cleveland against Golden State. So I’m actually glad I stayed. My mother didn’t know until the game happened. It was a very good game that I had to tell her.

SA: Yes, definitely. Over the years it’s been a little smoother in both ways. Twenty years ago, Americans were like the NBA or nothing. And the Europeans were like the Euroleague or nothing. I think there are more blends now. You see the game gets – it’s globalized. For example, it’s very easy to watch the Euroleague in the US, and it’s very easy to watch the NBA in Europe. You can see all the highlights without having to catch the day. So it’s pretty cool. But I think it’s a different style, a different culture. The way coaches coaches won’t work for the NBA. And that’s just a fact. I had a national team and a teammate. You please tell me things. It’s completely normal for me as I grew up with them. And you ask the guy here and they don’t understand why someone behaves that way. But I think it’s cool. It’s just a different culture. And that’s why I feel blessed to be here just because I look at both sides of the basketball.

SA: Well, I’m coming back to you.