Before participating in Georgia’s epic World Cup for the first time in its history, Sandro Mamukelashvili attacked the offseason without knowing where his future would be written.
While his stint in San Antonio to finish last season went pretty well, the Georgia interior had to stay in shape away from the Spurs facilities, at a city high school, until he got the shot call from Gregg Popovich to tell him the good news: a one-year extension and $2.1 million.
“It was an exceptional phone call. It was not only for me, because the whole of Georgia is enthusiastic,” he told the San Antonio Express-News.
Fired by Milwaukee during the season without really having the opportunity to express himself, Sandro Mamukelashvili managed to seize his chance in a completely different context, in San Antonio, with 10.8 points and 6.8 rebounds on average over 19 games. The perfect context to allow a player of his profile to show what he has in his stomach.
“It’s a great place”he continues. “In Milwaukee, I had a hard time finding my place and fitting in. There were a lot of older guys who took me under their wing like a little brother, but here (in San Antonio) it suits my age more. We are all in the same situation.”
“El Mamu” discovers Victor Wembanyama
After the World Cup, Sandro Mamukelashvili therefore went directly to San Antonio, without going through Georgia, to prepare for a new season with much higher stakes than during the 2022/23 financial year, in particular thanks to the arrival by Victor Wembanyama.
“I came straight here, I didn’t go home. I wanted to come back early and be with the guys. I’m happy to be back in the gym, just to recharge my batteries and find my place again,” he added.
While “Wemby” will be the center of attention, Sandro Mamukelashvili sees the Frenchman as an alien, in the same style as his former teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo, but already with an ability to make him more complete than the “Greek Freak “.
“Being a threat inside and out already gives him an advantage”continued the Georgian. “I don’t know what it might become in the future, because it’s not my job. But he really is an Alien.”
| Sandro Mamukelashvili | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2021-22 | MIL | 41 | 10 | 49.6 | 42.3 | 81.8 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 3.8 |
| 2022-23 * | All Teams | 43 | 15 | 42.2 | 30.3 | 68.4 | 1.6 | 2.7 | 4.3 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 6.1 |
| 2022-23 * | MIL | 24 | 9 | 32.8 | 21.9 | 66.7 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 2.4 |
| 2022-23 * | SAN | 19 | 23 | 45.3 | 34.3 | 69.2 | 2.7 | 4.1 | 6.8 | 2.4 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 10.8 |
| Total | 84 | 13 | 44.6 | 34.4 | 72.2 | 1.3 | 1.9 | 3.2 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 5.0 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
