Sandro Mamukelashvili, or “Mamu” as he has been aptly nicknamed, celebrates his twenty fifth birthday immediately.
The New York born, Georgian-raised (that’s Georgia in Russia, not the Peach State) huge man’s grandmother was a member of the Soviet Girls’s Nationwide Basketball crew. In different phrases, he’s acquired the genetic make-up of a baller.
And ball he did as soon as he arrived right here in San Antonio. Though he joined the crew in March 2023, he spent these final nineteen video games of that common season making a reputation for himself, averaging over 10 factors per sport whereas taking pictures over 50%. Certain, it was a small pattern dimension, however it could be sufficient to nab him a spot on the 2023-2024 Spurs roster.
Mamu is a restricted free agent this summer season and with so many draft picks, the Spurs have some choices to make based mostly on place. With the addition of Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs had been stacked on the 4 and 5, however since Charles Bassey was out all season, there was room for experimentation within the roster.
Mamu appeared in simply over half of the video games, however the discount in minutes was mirrored in his output.
I, for one, hope to see him on the Spurs roster even when he has to take some sideline time whereas the starters construct their communication.
Mamu got here in trying extra prepared for the NBA than many with related time on the hardwood. Sean Elliott attributed that to his 4 years of school, one thing many within the NBA don’t expertise today. The time in a constant system has elevated his basketball IQ. Discovering the Spurs put him in a system the place these surrounding him welcomed him and inspired him to search out his footing from the beginning.
The previous Seton Corridor Pirate was 54th general in 2021 (therefore his jersey quantity), and acquired his begin in Milwaukee the place he performed in 65 video games over two seasons earlier than being waived because the Bucks solidified their playoff roster. It took days, however the Spurs acquired him right down to the Alamo Metropolis simply in time to let him showcase a bit.
Right here’s to hoping we get some extra of that.
Comfortable birthday, Mamu.
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