Final week, Hofstra switch Aaron Estrada dedicated to Alabama over Cincinnati and Kansas State. The 6-foot-4 senior guard earned back-to-back Colonial Athletic Affiliation Participant of the Yr honors, displaying a multi-dimensional offensive recreation, paired with a well-rounded statistical profile that ought to get followers excited.
Let’s dive into the movie room to see what Alabama is getting within the Woodbury, N.J. native.
Statistical profile
Conventional stats: 20.2 factors, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists on 57.3% true taking pictures.
In 12 video games in opposition to KenPom High 150 opponents in 2023, Estrada shot 59.3% on the rim, 30.9% from past the arc, and 82.2% from the free-throw line.
In 14 video games in opposition to KenPom High 150 opponents in 2022, Estrada shot 61.2% on the rim , 37.0% from past the arc and 97% from the free-throw line.
Offensive function: Major ball handler, secondary ball handler
Defensive function: Level of assault, helper
— 91st percentile on spot-up jumpers
— 82nd percentile on dribble jumpers
— 79th percentile off handoffs
— 53rd percentile in isolation
— 51st percentile on the rim
— forty eighth percentile in transition
Shot-making versatility
In Nate Oats’ dribble-drive system, Alabama places a premium on gamers who can deal with actual utilization as each a major and secondary ball handler – Estrada does that.
He additionally presents Alabama one other high-volume left-handed shooter together with Mark Sears.
As seen above, Estrada’s scout begins together with his shot-making versatility. He has a good deal with with the flexibility to piece collectively combo strikes and shortly set up the bottom of his shot.
Estrada ran a heavy dose of pick-and-roll at Hofstra, resulting in his 29.6% utilization fee, The lefty guard may function in off-ball screening actions — flying off pin-downs, again screens, you title it.
For example, Jaden Shackelford was an unimaginable microwave scorer for Alabama, main the group in scoring throughout his three seasons in Tuscaloosa. Although his versatility was restricted. 89.1% of Shackelford’s 3-pointers made had been assisted within the 2021-22 season, for comparability, 48.6% of Estrada’s 3-pointers made had been assisted this season.
Estrada will share the courtroom with more proficient ball handlers, in order that quantity will seemingly climb a bit. Nonetheless, it must be nowhere near Shackelford’s close to 90% mark.
Estrada’s jumper is fast and mechanically sound. Nonetheless, don’t count on him to be a 40% marksman from past the arc. A significant query is the diploma to which he’s a 3-point shooter as his effectivity has tended to fluctuate in video games in opposition to high opponents. Estrada shot 0-for-3 from past the arc in opposition to Saint Mary’s in November, 1-for-4 in opposition to Iona and 1-for-6 in opposition to Rutgers within the first spherical of the NIT.
A playmaking savant
Beginning together with his innate instincts as a passer, Estrada led the Colonial Athletic Affiliation in complete assists (160) in 2022 and ranked sixth within the convention in complete assists (132) final season.
As seen on this compilation, he can execute passes with or with no display, pinpoint cutters, discover kick-out shooters, make cross-court skip passes and make fast situational reads throughout the circulation of an offense.
Estrada has common off-the-line burst at finest however leverages his craft, deal with, and methodical change of tempo to flourish as a driver. He additionally has terrific contact on floaters and runners, which will probably be key to translatable two-point effectivity on the SEC stage.
Hofstra’s offensive method differs from Alabama’s rim-and-3 scheme, so count on almost all of these lengthy 2s to be lined to above-the-break 3s, much like Sears at Ohio.
Estrada’s on-ball chops will open up Alabama’s offensive assault as an entire, given his mixture of ball-handling flexibility, off-ball motion, and shot-making rapport.
He additionally recorded a 2.4% steal fee final season, which is an indicator for his potent defensive playmaking skill. Estrada is switchable, energetic in passing lanes, and adept at chasing shooters in off-ball screening actions.
Hofstra ranked No. 177 nationally in adjusted tempo final season, in comparison with Alabama at No. 4, so he’s certain to profit from the tempo of play underneath Oats.
The 22-year-old tasks as a seamless slot in multi-guard lineups alongside Jahvon Quinerly, Latrell Wrightsell Jr. or Sears, pending upcoming draft choices.
