Aaron Estrada remains loyal to Long Island.
The former Hofstra standout who transferred to Alabama and played in the 2024 Final Four is backing the No. 13 Pride in the two schools’ upcoming March Madness matchup — Hofstra’s first in a quarter century.
“I think the Pride could get ’em,” he told The Post.
“And, I always love an underdog story,” said the guard, who predicted a Hofstra 90-85 victory over the No. 4 seed on Friday afternoon in Tampa.
The 24-year-old has stayed involved in Hofstra basketball after playing for both programs.
He came back for offseason workouts with Pride players and even FaceTimed the team on Selection Sunday after the matchup was set.
Estrada, whose Hofstra “brotherhood” is equal to that of his Alabama kinship, was immediately pressed by the guys about which side he would take.
“I wish that both teams could win, or that they didn’t get matched up to play each other,” he said.
“But if I had to suit up and put a jersey on and play for one, I’m picking Hofstra.”
After all, it was head coach Speedy Claxton who selflessly helped Estrada grow and transfer to a school that was offering him significant NIL dough.
“My family has never seen anything close to that amount of money —especially in one year,” said Estrada, who grew up outside of South Philadelphia in Woodbury, NJ.
He previously played on a Hofstra team that stunned No. 1 seed Rutgers in the 2023 NIT, and the Pride may have been nationally ranked had Estrada come back in 2024 rather than transferring to the SEC.
Claxton couldn’t have cared less, as long as it meant doing right by his star.
Hofstra player Aaron Estrada dribbling a basketball down the court in 2023. Evan Bernstein
“I didn’t necessarily want to see Aaron leave, but I knew that his leaving and getting a big payday would be good for him and his family,” the coach said.
“I was extremely happy for him. I watched him every step of the way for that stretch. I became an Alabama Crimson Tide fan,” Claxton added of Estrada’s run to the Final Four.
Estrada never forgot that Claxton was “ultimately just a good guy.”
“He wants the best for his people and everyone around him,” said Estrada, who plays overseas in Greece with Karditsa Iaponiki.
Now, Estrada wants to pay it forward to the Pride as much as he can.
Aaron Estrada #55 of the Alabama Crimson Tide dribbles the ball during the NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game against the Connecticut Huskies at State Farm Stadium on April 06, 2024 Getty Images
“He reached out, telling me how proud he is,” said senior guard Biggie Patterson.
“It means a lot coming from him,” added guard Cruz Davis, whose game was praised by Estrada.
Davis also “likes those odds” in Estrada’s 90-85 prediction, but Claxton not so much.
“That’s a lot of buckets,” the coach said with a laugh.
“We hang our hat on defense, so hopefully we don’t give up 85.”
Claxton has been all about positivity this week in getting the group ready for the battle at hand.
One of the first things he did after winning the Coastal Athletic Association was show the players their most memorable highlights from the magical season.
The Post has you covered with a printable NCAA bracket featuring the full 68-team March Madness 2026 field.
“I think it’s a big morale boost for the team,” guard German Plotnikov said.
“I’m happy we did that.”
The sizzle reel included two ACC wins over Syracuse and Pittsburgh, plus a near-buzzer-beater against Towson to reach the CAA finals.
“With this group, I don’t have to tell them we can win,” Claxton said. “They know that.”
Just ask Patterson, who’s been doing a hilarious impression of Claxton behind his back all season.
“He would say … ‘This game is about us,’ and, ‘If we want to win a championship, we’ve got to rebound the ball.’”
Hofstra Pride guard Aaron Estrada (4) goes to the hoop past Delaware Fightin Blue Hens guard Jameer Nelson Jr. (0) during the Delaware Blue Hens at the Hofstra University Pride on January 15, 2022. Lee S. Weissman
Estrada added that limiting Alabama’s deep-ball capabilities and thriving in — not fearing — the big moment are keys to pulling off the upset.
“You don’t have anything to lose at the end of the day, everybody already expects you to lose anyway,” he said.
“Why not go for a shot?”
Sophomore forward Joshua DeCady from Queens Village, who will have tons of Florida-based family at the game, is all for thriving in the spotlight and swagger that comes with the tournament bid.
“I’m just so happy. I can’t wait to get down there,” he said right before heading to the airport Wednesday morning.
“We just want to show the world what we can do.”
