Hofstra's Aaron Estrada transferring to Alabama
Aaron Estrada of Hofstra waits for the play to take shape during the NIT second round mens basketball game against Cincinnati at the David Mack Arena on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
After two seasons of lighting up Long Island with his spectacular play for Hofstra, guard Aaron Estrada is on the move. And it isn’t a transition to professional basketball.
The 6-3 Estrada announced on Saturday that he is transferring to the University of Alabama in a post on social media. He makes the move after two superlative seasons with the Pride, each of which ended with him anointed the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year.
This past season, Estrada helped Hofstra to a 25-10 mark, the CAA regular-season championship and the second round of the National Invitation Tournament. He averaged a team-high 20.2 points and shot 47.8%, including 36.8% on three-point attempts, in 37.2 minutes per game. He also averaged 5.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists.
Estrada also had serious interest from Kansas State, Cincinnati and Florida State. He has one year of college eligibility remaining.
After Hofstra lost a CAA Tournament semifinal last month in Washington, D.C., Estrada was asked about the possibility of playing professionally next season. “It’s something I have to consider,” he told Newsday. “I have to consider all my options to figure out what’s best.”
Alabama, which went 31-6 and reached the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16, has had four players declare for the NBA Draft, and several others have transferred or put their names in the NCAA transfer portal. Estrada, considered one of the better guards in the portal, should play a major role on coach Nate Oats’ team.
The Pride’s backcourt could be able to absorb the loss with the expected returns of second-leading scorer Tyler Thomas and guards Jaquan Carlos and Bryce Washington. Thomas averaged 16.5 points, but was especially strong down the stretch with a 20.2 average and 52.4% shooting in the final 15 games as Hofstra went 13-2.
The New Jersey product started at Saint Peter’s and was the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference’s Rookie of the Year in 2020. He transferred to Oregon and spent one season with the Ducks, averaging 12.7 minutes in nine games, before coming to Hofstra.
Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
