Sandro Mamukelashvili, the Georgian-American NBA player, is currently dominating the court as a power forward for the San Antonio Spurs.
His journey began when he declared for the 2021 NBA draft and was selected as the 54th pick by the Indiana Pacers. But Sandro’s inspiring story reminds us of the old saying, “Sometimes bad things happen for a good reason.”
Sandro grew up in Georgia, but when the Russo-Georgian war broke out in 2008, he was visiting his aunt in the USA. While he wasn’t physically present in the war zone, the conflict’s emotional toll affected him deeply.
However, amidst the chaos, Sandro discovered his true passion: basketball. The sport became a solace for him and paved the way for a successful career.
East co-Player of the Year, First-team All-Big East, and Haggerty Award. He also represented the Georgia national basketball team at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
So, what is his full story of warzone and basketball, and what does his basketball career look like? Make sure to read till the end to figure it out!
Facts About Sandro Mamukelashvili
| Full Name | Alexander Sandro Mamukelashvili |
| Georgian Name | ალექსანდრე “სანდრო” მამუკელაშვილი |
| Nick Name | Sandro Mamukelashvili |
| Date of Birth | May 23, 1999 |
| Age | 23 years old |
| Birth Place | New York City, USA |
| Nationality | Georgian-American |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Father’s Name | Zurab Mamukelashvili |
| Mother’s Name | Marianna Oakley |
| Siblings | David and George Mamukelashvili |
| High School | Montverde Academy |
| Education | Graduate |
| University | Seton Hall |
| Relationship Status | Not available |
| Profession | NBA Player |
| Position | Power Forward/Center |
| Leagues | NBANBA G League |
| NBA Draft | 2021 (54th pick by Indiana Pacers) |
| Debut Year | 2021 |
| Playing Teams | Milwaukee Bucks ( 2021-2023)Wisconsin Herd (2021-2023)San Antonio Spurs (2023- Present) |
| Jersey Number | No. 54 (San Antonio Spurs) |
| Notable Awards | Big East co-Player of the YearFirst-team All-Big EastHaggerty Award |
| Net Worth | $1 Million-5 Million |
Early Life and Education
Alexander Sandro Mamukelashvili, also known as Sandro Mamukelashvili, was born on May 23, 1999, in New York City, USA, to Marianna Oakley (mother) and Zurab Mamukelashvili (father).
He is the youngest child in the family, with two older brothers named David and George Mamukelashvili.
Despite being born in the USA, his parents decided to raise their family in Georgia, and Sandro grew up in Tbilisi, Georgia. Growing up, Sandro’s brother David introduced him to basketball at a young age.
Additionally, he heard many stories about his grandmother, Ira Gabashvili, a celebrated basketball player in the former Soviet Union.
Although she passed away before Sandro was born, his father often told him stories about her achievements on the court.
Warzone To Basketball Court
Sandro’s life took an unexpected turn in August 2008 when the Russian-Georgian war broke out. Thankfully, Sandro and David were safe in Chicago, visiting their aunt Eteri Andjaparidze, a famous pianist.
As news of the war was all over the place, his aunt did her best to distract the kids from the situation. This was when basketball became Sandro’s savior and passion.
While he was not particularly fond of the sport before, he slowly fell in love with it during his time in Chicago.
Sandro remains grateful that he was away from the conflict zone during that tumultuous period. Looking back on it, he says,
By the age of 14, Sandro had become a basketball prodigy, and Italian clubs took notice of his impressive skills on the court.
He returned to Georgia just to find the ruins of the war and ultimately left for Italy to attend high school, where his official basketball journey began.
Early Career
At fourteen, Mamukelashvili embarked on a journey to Biella, Italy, to pursue a high school education, a decision that would profoundly impact his life.
Despite the difficulties of adjusting to a new environment and not knowing the local language, the young Georgian prodigy found solace in his basketball club.
In 2016, Mamukelashvili took another bold step and traveled to the United States to attend the renowned Montverde Academy, where he had the opportunity to train with NBA talents like Zaza Pachulia and RJ Barrett.
After finishing high school, Mamukelashvili evaluated his options and decided to commit to Seton Hall in 2017. However, he declared for the 2020 NBA draft and withdrew to play his final season with Seton Hall.
As he entered his senior year, Mamukelashvili was named to the Preseason First Team All-Big East and was expected to play a significant role in filling the void left by the graduation of Myles Powell.
He exceeded expectations and made an incredible impact, setting records and earning awards.
Mamukelashvili’s outstanding performance during his senior year confirmed his position as a top talent in college basketball, positioning him for a successful future in the NBA.
Professional Career
Mamukelashvili declared for the 2021 NBA draft, where Indiana Pacers picked him as the 54th pick. But, unfortunately, he was traded to Milwaukee Bucks.
Nonetheless, the Bucks already had an eye on Mamukelashvili and signed him to a two-way contract in 2021. The young star would split his time between the Bucks and their G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd.
Mamukelashvili made his highly anticipated NBA debut against Brooklyn Nets and performed amazingly. As part of his two-way contract, he was sent to play with Wisconsin Herd.
It was with the Herd that Mamukelashvili truly shone, showcasing amazing gameplay. But unfortunately, due to illness, he had to sit out on a few games.
In 2022, he was selected to join the Bucks’ NBA Summer League roster, and his impressive performances earned him a place on the All-NBA Summer League First Team, cementing his status as a rising star.
However, Mamukelashvili’s time with the Bucks was short-lived. On March 1, 2023, he was waived by the team.
But the young star didn’t stay on the market for long. The San Antonio Spurs signed him to a standard NBA contract two days later.
With this fresh start, Mamukelashvili is ready to continue his ascent to stardom in the NBA.
Awards and Achievements
Here are some notable awards and achievements of Sandro Mamukelashvili:
- NBA G League Next Up Game (2023)
- Big East co-Player of the Year (2021)
- First-team All-Big East (2021)
- Haggerty Award (2021)
Girlfriend and Relationship
With all the buzz surrounding Sandro Mamukelashvili, many fans are curious about his relationship status. However, it appears that the power forward is either single or has chosen to keep any romantic relationships private.
However, stay tuned! We will keep you informed if any information becomes available.
Net Worth, NBA Contracts And Salary
Sandro Mamukelashvili’s net worth is estimated at around $ 1 million- $5 million as of 2023.
According to Spotrac, Sandro Mamukelashvili has signed a one-year contract worth $357,717 with the San Antonio Spurs for the 2022-23 NBA season.
The entire amount is guaranteed, meaning that Mamukelashvili will receive the full amount regardless of whether he remains with the Spurs for the entire season.
Mamukelashvili’s contract also includes a trade restriction that prevents the Spurs from trading him until June 3, 2023. His salary with the Bucks was around $758,395.
Interesting Facts
- His parents initially did not support Sandro’s dream of becoming an NBA player. When he told his parents, he was shooed and scolded for studying instead.
- Apart from basketball, Sandro is an avid skier and also loves to play soccer and swim.
- Sandro is fluent in English, Georgian, Russian, and Italian.
- He also represented Georgia at the 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifications and the FIBA U20 European Championship.
Who is number 54 on the Spurs team?
Georgian power forward Sandro Mamukelashvili is playing as number 54 on the Spurs team since 2023.
What is Sandro Mamukelashvili’s nationality?
Sandro’s nationality is a bit confusing since he was born in the USA to Georgian parents and was brought up in Georgia. But, legally, they are American citizens and hold American passports.
