Alabama guard Aaron Estrada declares for 2024 NBA Draft
Alabama guard Aaron Estrada is declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft, he announced via Instagram. He led the Crimson Tide in assists en route to the program’s first-ever Final Four appearance this past season.
Estrada started his college career at Saint Peter’s, Oregon and Hofstra before transferring to Alabama ahead of the 2023-24 season. He scored 13.4 points per game with the Crimson Tide while adding a team-high 4.6 assists as Alabama rattled off a run to Phoenix for the Final Four.
At Hofstra as a junior, Estrada averaged a career-high 20.2 points to go with 4.3 assists per game.
“First I want to thank God for allowing me to play the game I love,” Estrada wrote. “These past 5 years have been a blessing for me and my family, and I am extremely blessed to be in this position. I want to give a special shoutout to Hofstra and the University of Alabama for taking a chance on me. I’ve built unforgettable bonds and lived my teams with the time I spent here. Thank you Coach Speedy and Coach Oats!
“With that being said I will be entering the 2024 NBA Draft!”
Estrada is the first Alabama player to announce his draft plans, and the Crimson Tide still await a decision from Grant Nelson. He put together an impressive season after transferring from North Dakota State, averaging 11.9 points and hitting some big-time shots for Alabama down the stretch as part of the tournament run.
As for what he decides to do, Nate Oats acknowledged Nelson likely helped his draft stock with his tournament performance. That said, Oats wants his star forward to do what’s best for him.
“I’m sure his draft stock has risen in the tournament, particularly how he played against was it Carolina where he had 24-12-5,” Oats said after Alabama’s loss to UConn. “He’s one of the four players in the history of the tournament to do that against a single-digit seed. I think it was him, Shaq, Tim Duncan and Channing Frye. … We’re going to have to sit down and evaluate how much it’s risen, will he get drafted, where will he get drafted.
“I’d love to have him back, I know that. I always said you do what’s right by the player, by the person. If he’s got a great situation, makes most sense for him not to come back, I’m all for it.”