Sandro Mamukelashvili Bio
Alexander “Sandro” Mamukelashvili is a Georgian-American professional basketball player for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association. Standing 6 feet 9 inches tall and weighing about 240 pounds, he plays as a versatile forward known for his shooting touch and rebounding. After starring at Seton Hall, he entered the NBA in 2021 and has since built a reputation as a reliable reserve and occasional spark on offense.
Born in New York City and raised in Tbilisi, Georgia, Mamukelashvili developed his game in Italy, Florida, and New Jersey before reaching the professional level. He speaks English, Georgian, Russian, and Italian, and brings an international background to every team he has joined. In July 2025, he signed a new contract with the Raptors, beginning the latest chapter of his career.
Early Life and Background
Mamukelashvili was born on May 23, 1999, in New York City, and his family moved to Tbilisi, Georgia, when he was a baby. He grew up in a basketball household, with his older brother David introducing him to the sport at a young age. His grandmother, Ira Gabashvili, had been a member of the Soviet women’s national basketball team, giving the family a direct connection to the game. He came to idolize the Georgian big man Zaza Pachulia, who would later play a mentoring role in his career.
When Mamukelashvili was 14, he moved to Biella, Italy, to attend high school and compete for a local youth program. He played for the Italian U17, U18, and U19 national teams, helping those squads to a third-place finish at the national finals. Living abroad was difficult at first, but he credits his club and head coach Federico Danna for helping him settle in. In 2016, he moved to the United States to attend Montverde Academy in Florida, where he played alongside future NBA player R.J. Barrett and reached the finals of the Dick’s Sporting Goods High School Nationals.
Path to Basketball
At Montverde, Pachulia became an active mentor and introduced the young forward to several established players, including Stephen Curry. On April 20, 2017, Mamukelashvili committed to Seton Hall over offers from USC, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt, partly because his high school coach Kevin Boyle had a strong relationship with Pirates head coach Kevin Willard. His brother David was also living nearby, which made the choice easier.
As a freshman, Mamukelashvili averaged 2.6 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.5 blocks per game while helping the Pirates reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament. He developed steadily as a sophomore, posting 8.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game and scoring 23 points in a win over Sacred Heart. After his sophomore year, he spent time training at Pachulia’s academy in Tbilisi, adding a jump stop and extending his three-point range.
Sandro Mamukelashvili Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
During his junior season, Mamukelashvili scored 18 points in an 84–76 win over Iowa State in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament and later hit a game-winning shot against Butler with 0.6 seconds remaining. He fractured his right wrist in December 2019 but returned to finish the year, averaging 11.9 points and 6 rebounds per game. After testing the draft waters in 2020, he withdrew and returned for his senior campaign.
As a senior, he set a career high with 32 points against St. John’s, reached 1,000 career points in a win over DePaul, and averaged 17.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. He was named Big East co-Player of the Year, earned first-team All-Big East honors, won the Haggerty Award as the best player in the New York metropolitan area, and was a finalist for the Karl Malone Award.
Milwaukee Bucks (2021–2023)
Mamukelashvili was selected 54th overall in the 2021 NBA draft by the Indiana Pacers and was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks on draft night. On August 4, 2021, he signed a two-way contract that split his time between the Bucks and their G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd. He made his NBA debut on October 19, 2021, recording an assist and a rebound in a 127–104 win over the Brooklyn Nets.
He split his rookie season between Milwaukee and the Herd, posting 28 points, six rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and a steal in a G League win over the Windy City Bulls. The following summer, he joined the Bucks’ Summer League roster and was named to the All-NBA Summer League First Team in July 2022. On March 1, 2023, Milwaukee waived him after two seasons with the organization.
San Antonio Spurs (2023–2025)
On March 3, 2023, the San Antonio Spurs claimed Mamukelashvili off waivers and converted his contract to a standard NBA deal. He re-signed with the Spurs on July 27, 2023, and again on July 22, 2024, becoming a steady contributor in the frontcourt. Over his two and a half seasons in San Antonio, he developed into a respected bench option known for his passing and floor spacing.
On March 19, 2025, Mamukelashvili delivered a career-best performance, scoring 34 points with nine rebounds, three assists, and a steal in just 19 minutes off the bench in a 120–105 win over the New York Knicks. That outburst set a new record for the most points scored in a game while playing fewer than 20 minutes.
Toronto Raptors (2025–Present)
On July 4, 2025, Mamukelashvili signed a two-year, $5.5 million contract with the Toronto Raptors, bringing his international experience and shot-making to a young roster. The deal signaled a fresh start for the forward as he entered his fifth NBA season. He joined a Raptors team in the middle of a multi-year rebuild focused on player development and positional versatility.
Driving Style and Strengths
Mamukelashvili is a stretch forward who can score from the perimeter, attack closeouts, and operate as a hub in the short roll. His basketball IQ and willingness to move the ball have made him a connective piece alongside more ball-dominant teammates. He also rebounds effectively for his position and can defend multiple spots when locked in.
Notable Events and Milestones
His record-setting 34-point game against the Knicks in March 2025 stands as the signature performance of his NBA career to date. Earlier milestones include his 1,000th career college point, his Big East co-Player of the Year award in 2021, and a 23-point college game against Sacred Heart. He has also represented Georgia in senior and youth national team competition.
Sandro Mamukelashvili Career Wins
Across his college and professional career, Mamukelashvili has accumulated notable individual and team achievements rather than a long list of tournament trophies. His biggest honors came in his senior season at Seton Hall, and he has followed that up with strong individual performances for Milwaukee, San Antonio, and Toronto.
NBA Highlights
Mamukelashvili’s standout NBA moment arrived on March 19, 2025, when he erupted for 34 points in just 19 minutes against the New York Knicks, setting a record for the most points in a game under 20 minutes. He was also named to the All-NBA Summer League First Team in July 2022. His recent two-year deal with the Raptors reflects the value he brings as a rotation forward.
Other Wins & Performances
At Seton Hall, he was a Big East co-Player of the Year, a first-team All-Big East selection, and the Haggerty Award winner. In 2018, he represented the senior Georgian national team at the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers and competed at the FIBA U20 European Championship, averaging 8.7 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.
Sandro Mamukelashvili Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Basketball runs deep in the Mamukelashvili family. His grandmother, Ira Gabashvili, played for the Soviet women’s national team, and his older brother David helped introduce him to the game as a child. David later taught English and Philosophy at Newark Academy in Livingston, New Jersey, and supported Sandro’s move to the United States.
Personal Life
Mamukelashvili has spoken publicly about the influence of his father, Zurab, who attended a Seton Hall game in February 2020 for the first time in two years. He has credited the Italian head coach Federico Danna and his high school coach Kevin Boyle for helping shape his career. Mamukelashvili speaks four languages and has built connections across basketball communities in Georgia, Italy, and the United States.
2025 Season Performance
Mamukelashvili began the 2025 calendar year still in a San Antonio uniform, where he had settled into a bench role with the Spurs. He closed his Spurs tenure with a memorable 34-point outburst against the New York Knicks on March 19, 2025, a performance that underscored his scoring upside in short bursts. The game also cemented his reputation as one of the league’s most efficient reserve scorers.
On July 4, 2025, he joined the Toronto Raptors on a two-year, $5.5 million contract, stepping into a depth forward role on a young roster. The Raptors were in the middle of a multi-year retool, and Mamukelashvili’s experience and stretch ability fit the team’s emphasis on skill and versatility. He was expected to compete for minutes behind the team’s primary frontcourt options and to provide a secondary playmaking voice in the second unit.
Looking ahead to the remainder of the 2025 season, Mamukelashvili’s role with Toronto will likely center on spacing the floor, rebounding, and stabilizing lineups when games slow down. His track record of high-percentage scoring in limited minutes, combined with his international background, gives the Raptors another tool in their development pipeline. If he can stay healthy, he has a clear path to growing into a larger role as the season progresses.