Summers follow one another and are all the same for Sandro Mamukelashvili. For the second year in a row, he experienced free agency and landed a new one-year contract with the Spurs. My heart is set on San Antonio. In my heart I said, 'I hope this works out and I come back.' “, he recalls, from the San Antonio Express News.
Like last year, this is a minimum wage contract, around $2 million. But money is not a priority for him. In my situation, one more year in the league is already a celebration. “, says the man who was drafted in 54th position in 2021 and who started his career under the ” two-way contract » with Milwaukee.
The Bucks had cut him in March 2023, then the Spurs had given him his chance. Chance seized brilliantly since the interior had turned to around 11 points and 7 rebounds (in 19 games) to finish that season. Enough to convince the Spurs to keep him.
” My first free agency, if you saw me, you would have thought I was a zombie walking. I wasn't sleeping. I was on Twitter wondering what was going on. Just give me a minimum contract, you know what I mean? “, says the 25-year-old.
“Not just happy to be here”
The Georgian-American center, who grew up in Tbilisi, had won his case and was quick to praise Gregg Popovich's human qualities. The Spurs coach will return the favor by referring to him as his ” favorite player “.
Despite the compliments, Mamukelashvili, who tried to qualify Georgia at the Olympics this summermust continue to fight. Nothing comes easy in my journey. This fighter mentality has stayed with me. No matter what situation I find myself in, I only think about improving myself. And if I have a little chance, I want to show everyone that I am not just happy to be here. »
His joy still shines through when it comes to discussing his second year in a row alongside Victor Wembanyama. And within a team whose ambitions have been raised with the arrivals of Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes.
The opportunity, according to him, to ” to be a part of something special. With Victor coming in, some veterans coming in and some young talent coming in, quality players, it's something we want to be a part of. » « And hopefully there will come a time when I'm not a free agent every summer. ” he wishes with a laugh.
Two-way contract : Designed to create a new bridge between the NBA and the G-League, this type of contract allows each team to secure the services of two or three additional players, to have them play mainly in their affiliated development league franchise but also up to 50 matches in the NBA.
| Sandro Mamukelashvili | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | 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 |
| 2023-24 | SAN | 46 | 10 | 47.1 | 29.7 | 73.5 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 3.2 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 4.1 |
| Total | 130 | 12 | 45.4 | 33.0 | 72.6 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 3.2 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 4.7 | |
How to read the stats? GM = Games Played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots Made / Shots Attempted; 3pts = 3-pointers / 3-pointers Attempted; LF = Free Throws Made / Free Throws Attempted; Off = Offensive Rebound; Def = Defensive Rebound; Tot = Total Rebounds; Pd = Assists; Fte: Personal Fouls; Int = Steals; Bp = Loose Balls; Ct: Blocks; Pts = Points.
