Alexander “Sandro” Mamukelashvili is a Georgian-American professional basketball player, known for his versatility on the court, playing as a power forward and center. He currently plays for the Toronto Raptors in the National Basketball Association (NBA).<\/p>
Early Life and Youth Career
\nSandro Mamukelashvili was born on May 23, 1999, in New York City, United States. However, he moved to Tbilisi, Georgia, when he was a baby, and that is where he grew up. This dual nationality and life experience in different countries made him fluent in English, Georgian, Russian, and Italian.<\/p>
Basketball is part of his family heritage: his grandmother, Ira Gabashvili, was a notable player, having been a member of the Soviet women’s basketball team.<\/p>
Before moving to the United States, Mamukelashvili spent part of high school in Italy, where he played for Angelico Biella. He helped the club’s U-17, U-18, and U-19 teams achieve third place in the national finals. He later moved to Florida to play at Montverde Academy, a school known for its strong basketball program.<\/p>
College Basketball (Seton Hall)
\nOn April 20, 2017, Sandro Mamukelashvili committed to Seton Hall University, in the Big East Conference. He chose the university due to the good relationship between his high school coach and Seton Hall coach, Kevin Willard, as well as the proximity of his brother David, who lived in the area.<\/p>
His collegiate career culminated in an excellent senior season (2020-2021), where he stood out with averages of 17.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. His performance earned him significant honors: he was named Big East Co-Player of the Year and received the Haggerty Award as the best player in the New York metropolitan area. He was also recognized with an All-America Honorable Mention by the Associated Press and was one of five finalists for the Karl Malone Award, which recognizes the best power forward in college basketball.<\/p>
Professional NBA Career
\nMilwaukee Bucks (2021–2023)
\nMamukelashvili was selected with the 54th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers but was immediately traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. He signed a two-way contract, splitting his time between the Bucks and their NBA G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd.<\/p>
He made his NBA debut on October 19, 2021. While playing for the Wisconsin Herd, he showed great potential, even being named to the All-NBA Summer League First Team in 2022. The Bucks waived him in March 2023.<\/p>
San Antonio Spurs (2023–2025)
\nTwo days after being waived by the Bucks, Mamukelashvili was claimed by the San Antonio Spurs. His contract was converted to a standard NBA contract, and he re-signed with the team in July 2023 and July 2024, where he had the opportunity to play a more substantial role.<\/p>
His most notable moment with the franchise occurred on March 19, 2025, when he scored a career-high 34 points, along with nine rebounds and three assists, in a victory against the New York Knicks. This performance was remarkable as he achieved this score in less than 20 minutes of play, breaking the league record for most points scored with such limited playing time.<\/p>
Toronto Raptors (2025–present)
\nOn July 4, 2025, Sandro Mamukelashvili signed a two-year, $5.5 million contract with the Toronto Raptors, marking his next chapter in the NBA.<\/p>
National Team Career
\nSandro Mamukelashvili is an active member of the Georgian National Basketball Team. He has represented Georgia in various international competitions, including the 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers and the 2018 U-20 EuroBasket. His contribution to the national team continued, being an important part of the squad during the 2023 FIBA World Cup and EuroBasket 2025.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":48727,"template":"","categories":[1],"class_list":["post-48726","nba-player","type-nba-player","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n