Aaron Estrada Stays Connected to Hofstra Basketball
Aaron Estrada, a former Hofstra basketball player who transferred to Alabama and made it to the 2024 Final Four, is cheering on his old team as they face off against Alabama. This matchup marks the first time in 25 years the two schools have played in March Madness.
“I think the Pride can take them,” he mentioned, hinting at an upset in the making. He even predicted a 90-85 victory for Hofstra against the No. 4 seed in their Friday game in Tampa.
At 24, Estrada continues to support Hofstra basketball. He participated in offseason training with the current players and reached out via FaceTime after the Selection Sunday results were revealed.
Estrada feels a strong bond between Hofstra and Alabama, which made for a tough situation when both teams were set to play. “I wish both teams could have won and I wish we never had to play each other,” he reflected. “But if I had to put on a jersey, it would definitely be Hofstra’s.”
His loyalty stems from the support he received from head coach Speedy Claxton, who helped him transition to a school that offered substantial NIL opportunities.
“My family has never seen anything close to that amount, especially in one year,” Estrada said, recalling his upbringing in Woodbury, New Jersey. He played on a Hofstra team that notably defeated No. 1 seed Rutgers in the 2023 NIT, and he wonders how far the Pride could have gone if he hadn’t left for the SEC.
Claxton understood the decision to leave, knowing it was beneficial for Estrada and his family. “I didn’t want to see Aaron go, but I knew it was the right move for him,” he stated, sharing how he became an Alabama fan during Estrada’s journey.
Estrada hasn’t forgotten Claxton’s kindness. “He truly wants the best for everyone around him,” he remarked, now playing professionally in Greece.
Estrada aims to support the Pride as much as possible. “He reached out to me and told me how proud he was,” said senior guard Biggie Patterson. Guard Cruz Davis also expressed gratitude for Estrada’s attention, mentioning that he feels positively about the 90-85 prediction, though Claxton chuckled, noting that’s a lot of points to allow.
“We’re focusing hard on defense and hope we don’t give up 85 points,” Claxton joked, maintaining a positive outlook for the upcoming game.
After winning the Coastal Athletic Association championship, Claxton shared memorable highlights with his players to boost morale. “I think this will be a big morale booster for our team,” guard German Plotnikov said. “I’m glad I did that.”
With key wins over ACC opponents such as Syracuse and Pittsburgh, as well as a thrilling game against Towson, the team is ready to face the challenge ahead. “Our players know they can win,” Claxton stated confidently.
Senior guard Patterson noted that Claxton emphasized the game’s focus on the team’s performance and the importance of rebounding.
Estrada highlighted that limiting Alabama’s three-point shots and embracing the pressure will be crucial for an upset. “At the end of the day, we have nothing to lose. Everyone expects us to fall short anyway,” he said.
Sophomore forward Joshua Dekady, whose family will be rooting for him from Florida, expressed excitement about the upcoming game. “I’m really happy. I can’t wait to get there,” he said as he prepared for his trip. “We just want to show the world what we can do.”
