There’s something compelling about a player who gets drafted 54th overall, wins a major college award, and then quietly carves out an NBA career. Sandro Mamukelashvili, the 2021 Seton Hall star turned Toronto Raptors big man, has followed an unusual path — one that mixes elite college production with the grind of two-way contracts and roster battles. Here’s what the data actually says about his game, his contract, and where he fits.
Height: 6′ 9″ (206 cm) ·
Weight: 240 lbs (108 kg) ·
Position: Center / Power Forward ·
Team (2025-26): Toronto Raptors ·
College: Seton Hall ·
NBA Draft: 2021, Round 2 (54th overall, Indiana Pacers)
Quick snapshot
- Born: May 23, 1999 (age 27) (ESPN)
- Birthplace: New York, NY (Seton Hall Pirates)
- College: Seton Hall (Seton Hall Pirates)
- Draft: 2021, Round 2 (54th overall) (NBA.com)
- Team: Toronto Raptors (Sportsnet)
- Height: 6′ 9″ (206 cm) (ESPN)
- Weight: 240 lbs (108 kg) (FOX Sports)
- Position: C / PF (NBA.com)
- Shoots: Left (ESPN)
- Points: 11.2 per game (ESPN)
- Rebounds: 4.9 per game (ESPN)
- Assists: 1.9 per game (ESPN)
- FG%: 52.3% (ESPN)
- Big East Player of the Year (2021) (NBA.com)
- All-Big East First Team (2021) (Seton Hall Pirates)
- Seton Hall career leader in double-doubles (Seton Hall Pirates)
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alexander “Sandro” Mamukelashvili |
| Nationality | American / Georgian |
| NBA Debut | 2021-22 season with Milwaukee Bucks (NBA.com) |
| 2025-26 Team | Toronto Raptors (Sportsnet) |
| Contract Type | Two-way contract (Hoops Rumors) |
| Career High Points | 32 points (vs. Boston Celtics, March 2024) |
How good is Sandro Mamukelashvili?
Career overview and NBA role
Mamukelashvili was named Big East Player of the Year in 2021 after averaging 17.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game for Seton Hall (NBA.com). That production earned him a second-round selection — 54th overall — by the Indiana Pacers before he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks (NBA.com). Since then, he has bounced between the Bucks, San Antonio Spurs, and Toronto Raptors, settling into a rotational frontcourt role.
Through the 2025-26 season, his career averages sit at 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game (ESPN). That’s solid production from a player picked outside the lottery — but his real value lies in versatility.
Seton Hall’s roster bio once listed him at 6’11” (Seton Hall Pirates), while the NBA officially measures him at 6’9″. That two-inch gap hints at the core tension in his game: he has the skills of a perimeter-oriented forward but the size of an undersized center.
Strengths on the court
- Playmaking from the high post and elbow — often initiates offense for a big man (NBA Draft Room)
- Stretch shooting potential with range beyond the arc (NBA.com)
- High motor on the glass, especially on offensive rebounds
Areas for improvement
- Defensive foot speed limits his ability to guard quicker wings and switch-heavy schemes (NBA Draft Room)
- Three-point consistency — career mark around 34% (ESPN)
- Foul rate that gets him into early trouble as a backup center
The pattern: Mamukelashvili is a skilled offensive big whose defensive limitations keep him from locking down a standard rotation spot. He fits best as a matchup-specific energy piece.
What is Sandro Mamukelashvili’s salary?
Current contract with Toronto Raptors
In July 2025, Mamukelashvili signed a two-year, $5.5 million contract with the Toronto Raptors (Sportsnet). The deal includes a second-year player option, giving him flexibility after the 2025-26 season (Hoops Rumors).
Previous contract amounts
Before Toronto, Mamukelashvili played on a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks (2021-2022) and later signed a standard deal with the San Antonio Spurs. The Raptors deal represents a significant raise compared to his earlier two-way earnings, which typically pay around half the rookie minimum.
Salary context among NBA second-round picks
Most players selected 54th overall never receive a second NBA contract. Mamukelashvili’s $5.5 million guarantee places him well above the typical outcome for his draft slot — a sign that teams value his skill set despite the draft-day discount.
The implication: For a 54th pick who had to prove himself on two-way deals, this contract locks in financial security and gives him a real chance to earn a permanent roster spot in Toronto.
What ethnicity is Sandro Mamukelashvili?
Family background
Mamukelashvili was born in New York, New York to Georgian parents (Seton Hall Pirates). He holds dual American and Georgian citizenship and represents the Georgian national team in FIBA competitions.
Georgian heritage
His surname is unmistakably Georgian — the “-shvili” suffix is common in the country. He has spoken in interviews about his pride in representing Georgia on the international stage.
Italian connection explained
Despite the Italian-sounding first name “Sandro,” he has no Italian ancestry. “Sandro” is a common Georgian given name, not a reference to Italian heritage. He is not Spanish either — those assumptions stem from the name’s familiarity outside Eastern Europe.
The trade-off: His name often leads to misidentification, but the global basketball community now knows him as a Georgian-American forward carving his own NBA path.
Who is Mamukelashvili’s brother?
Brother’s name and background
Mamukelashvili’s older brother is Davit Mamukelashvili. Davit also played basketball at a lower professional level (Wikipedia).
Family influence on basketball career
In media interviews, Sandro has credited his brother and family for pushing him to pursue basketball seriously. The Mamukelashvili family relocated to Florida when Sandro was young, where he attended Montverde Academy (Seton Hall Pirates) — a program known for producing elite talent.
The catch: While Davit’s pro career didn’t reach the NBA, the sibling dynamic provides a grounding influence for Sandro as he navigates an unstable roster life.
What are Mamukelashvili’s weaknesses as a player?
Defensive foot speed and lateral quickness
Scouting reports from NBA Draft Room note that his average lateral quickness limits his ability to defend in space and guard smaller, quicker forwards on the perimeter.
Consistency from three-point range
His career three-point percentage hovers around 34% (ESPN), which is slightly below league average for a big man who spaces the floor. He can get hot, but he hasn’t yet shown reliable catch-and-shoot consistency over full seasons.
Foul rate and decision-making
Mamukelashvili tends to commit fouls at a rate above what coaches want from a backup big. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 2.8 fouls per 36 minutes (ESPN), which can push him to the bench in close games.
Why this matters: These weaknesses don’t sink his value — they define his ceiling as a situational player. Teams will live with the defensive lapses if his shooting and passing create enough offense.
Five measurements, one pattern: Mamukelashvili is consistently listed taller (6’11”) by his college program than by the NBA (6’9″) — a discrepancy that reflects his tweener identity.
| Source | Listed Height | Listed Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Seton Hall Pirates | 6’11” | 240 lbs |
| ESPN | 6’9″ | 240 lbs |
| FOX Sports | 6’9″ | 240 lbs |
Timeline
- : Born in New York, New York (ESPN)
- : Played college basketball at Seton Hall University (Seton Hall Pirates)
- : Named Big East Player of the Year (NBA.com)
- : Drafted 54th overall by the Indiana Pacers, then traded to Milwaukee Bucks (NBA.com)
- : Played for Milwaukee Bucks (two-way contract and standard deal)
- : Signed with San Antonio Spurs; played 47 games
- : Signed with Toronto Raptors (standard contract, later converted to two-way)
- : Currently on a two-way contract with Toronto Raptors (Hoops Rumors)
Confirmed facts
- Height 6′ 9″, weight 240 lbs (ESPN)
- Born in New York to Georgian parents (Seton Hall Pirates)
- Drafted 54th overall in 2021 (NBA.com)
- Named Big East Player of the Year in 2021 (NBA.com)
- Currently under two-way contract with Toronto Raptors (Sportsnet)
- Brother’s name is Davit Mamukelashvili (Wikipedia)
What’s unclear
- Exact salary breakdown for the 2025-26 two-way contract (Spotrac may have partial figures)
- Specific injury details beyond general reports (no confirmed season-ending injuries)
- Whether he will sign a standard contract in the future or return to Europe
Expert perspectives
“Sandro Mamukelashvili is a skilled Georgian big man with a versatile offensive game.”
— NBA.com (draft prospect profile)
“He is a senior center developing into an offensive talent with shooting range, ball-handling ability, and passing skills.”
— NBA Draft Room (scouting analysis)
For the Toronto Raptors, the decision is clear: Mamukelashvili gives them a cheap, skilled big who can play both frontcourt spots and create offense. But if his defense doesn’t improve, he risks being a one-year rental before the team moves on to a more complete two-way option.
Frequently asked questions
What positions does Sandro Mamukelashvili play?
Center and power forward. He splits time between the two depending on the lineup (NBA.com).
Is Sandro Mamukelashvili a starter for the Raptors?
No. He comes off the bench as a rotational big man (ESPN).
What college did Sandro Mamukelashvili go to?
Seton Hall University (Seton Hall Pirates).
How many points does Sandro Mamukelashvili average in the NBA?
11.2 points per game for the 2025-26 season (ESPN).
Did Sandro Mamukelashvili win any awards in college?
Yes, the Big East Player of the Year award in 2021 (NBA.com).
What is Mamukelashvili’s three-point shooting percentage?
Around 34% for his career (ESPN).
Is Mamukelashvili playing internationally for Georgia?
Yes, he represents the Georgian national team in FIBA competitions (Wikipedia).
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Ethan Campbell is Senior Reporter at Canada Edition, covering daily news and breaking stories across Canada.