The Charlotte Hornets own their own first-round pick and are owed second-round picks from the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers. Over the next couple of months, leading up to the 2021 NBA Draft, Swarm & Sting will take a look at prospects hoping to hear their name called on draft night.
We’ve spent a good amount of energy focusing on players that may be available when the Hornets pick in the first round with the 11th overall selection, but now we turn the page to focus on a number of players who may still be on the board when Charlotte picks at No. 56 and 57.
Age: 20
Height: 6′ 11″
Weight: 224 lbs
College Stats/Awards
Santi Aldama enters the 2021 NBA Draft after spending two seasons at Loyola (MD). During the 2020-21 season, Aldama played and started in 17 games, and averaged 21.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks, while shooting 51.3% from the field and 36.8% from three.
Aldama was a 2019-20 Patriot League All-Rookie Team choice and 2020-21 All-Patriot League First Team selection.
Primary Strengths
Aldama is a solid low post scorer; an above-average shooter with the potential to become a stretch-four player.
He is a solid ball-handler and passer for his size. Aldama is an adequate shot blocker and a solid rebounder, particularly on the defensive end where he averaged 9.2 rebounds per game during his two seasons at Loyola (MD).
Primary Weaknesses
Aldama can be a streaky shooter. What sticks out the most is his free throw percentage. Overall, Aldama averaged 63.9% from the charity stripe during his two college seasons, however, he did improve during his sophomore campaign, jumping from 51.5% during his freshman year to 68.6% last season.
Aldama is turnover-prone; he’ll need to make better decisions and protect the ball better at the next level. He’ll also need to improve his defense on the perimeter.
Draft Projection
Aldama has gotten a little more draft buzz recently. What works against him with a lot of teams is his limited competition against top-level talent in college. His rebounding, shot-blocking ability, and stretch potential will be attractive to teams in the latter half of the draft. Expect Aldama to come off the draft board late in the second round or to be signed by a team after the draft to compete during summer league play.
The draft lottery will be held on Tuesday, June 22 on ESPN. The 2021 NBA Draft will be held on Thursday, July 29 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The draft will be televised on ABC (first-round only) and ESPN.