PARIS – Santi Aldama had team-highs of 19 points and 12 rebounds on Tuesday to lead Spain to an 84-77 group-stage win over Greece at the 2024 Olympics.
The former Loyola University Maryland standout helped Spain improve to 1-1 and keep their medal-round hopes alive in front of Friday's game against Canada.
Through two games in the Olympics – Spain lost to Australia in its Saturday morning opener – Aldama has averaged 23 points and 8.5 rebounds.
"He's our best player, and he knows it," Spain guard Dario Brizuela
told FIBA.com. "He's making a step forward this year compared to the (FIBA Basketball) World Cup last year. He's our leader now. He played an amazing game and we're happy for him."
Aldama played two seasons at Loyola, 2019-21, before entering the 2021 NBA Draft where he was a first-round draft pick of the Memphis Grizzlies. This season, he averaged 10.7 points and 5.8 rebounds for the Grizzlies before moving into international play with his home country.
Earlier this month, he was named Most Valuable Player of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, helping Spain to its 2024 berth. In the process, he became the first current or former Loyola student-athlete to compete in the Olympic Games.
On Tuesday morning, Greece tied the game at 71-71 on a basket by two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo with 4:42 left in regulation, but Aldama responded 19 ticks of the clock later with a jumper that would put Spain in front for good.
He had a dunk with 2:05 left on the clock to give Spain a seven-point lead, a margin that held when he blocked a Greece layup attempt on the other end of the floor.
"There's nothing bigger than representing your country, especially in the Olympics," Aldama said to FIBA.com. "It's an honor just for me to be here and have the opportunity to do it. But next to this group of guys, man, they are unreal. We deserve this win."
