By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Santi Aldama will not join the senior national team of Spain for the upcoming FIBA window, according to an announcement by the Spanish Basketball Federation on Wednesday.
Spain is scheduled to launch the second and final round of the European Qualifiers for the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar with fixtures against Portugal in Zaragoza on August 28 and Greece in Athens on August 31.
The 25-year-old forward-center pushed his physical limits to participate, but following a recent surgical procedure to repair an injury in his right knee, team officials and medical staff opted not to rush his rehabilitation or compromise his readiness for the upcoming 2026–27 NBA Regular Season with the Dallas Mavericks.
Both FEB and head coach Chus Mateo highly commended the Las Palmas native for his deep dedication and intense desire to represent his country. Although the versatile attacker is viewed as a foundational piece for the future of the program, a cautious approach was deemed the most prudent path forward. Coach Mateo has elected not to name a replacement, leaving a selected 14-player roster to navigate the training camp and successive matchups.
🚨 OFICIAL | Santi Aldama (@santialdama) no podrá concentrarse con la Selección en la Ventana de agosto.
📝 MÁS INFO ⬇https://t.co/83XmtLTpi0#LaFamilia #SomosEquipo pic.twitter.com/uqwKo3WBVh
— Baloncesto España (@BaloncestoESP) August 19, 2026
The available squad features Alvaro Cardenas, Baba Miller, Sergio de Larrea, Jaime Pradilla, Mario Saint-Supery, Dario Brizuela, Alberto Diaz, Hugo Gonzalez, Izan Almansa, Willy Hernangomez, Aday Mara, Santi Yusta, Juancho Hernangomez, and Joel Parra.
Spain currently sits atop Group I with a strong 5–1 record, remaining two games clear of the elimination zone. Despite the prominent absentee, the lineup maintains a commanding position as they prepare to host Portugal before traveling to Athens to face a Greek squad missing its own star, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
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