Mamukelashvili confirms EuroLeague interest, leaves European doors open / News - Basketnews.com

Sandro Mamukelashvili confirmed interest from EuroLeague teams but remained focused on his NBA career: "Right now, my head is straight to the NBA to show everybody that I can be an NBA player and that I belong to this league."

Credit: Georgian BF Credit Georgian BF

During the offseason, NBA and EuroLeague saw some notable player exchanges. The likes of Sasha Vezenkov, Vasilije Micic, and Dante Exum made their way to the U.S., while top European teams welcomed reinforcements like Kemba Walker, Frank Jackson, and the Hernangomez brothers.

There are also rumors circulating about more potential NBA players moving to EuroLeague teams, including Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and Frank Kaminsky, with Sandro Mamukelashvili being a subject of interest back in May.

SDNA then reported that several EuroLeague teams, Panathinaikos Athens among them, inquired about the status of Mamukelashvili, who was on an expiring deal.

In a recent interview with BasketNews, 'Mamu' confirmed that some EuroLeague clubs were showing interest in him, but he stayed focused on an NBA stint.

"Definitely, I had multiple EuroLeague teams [interested in me], but I want to stay in the NBA," he told BasketNews. "I want to show everybody that right now, I am an NBA player. European doors are never closed, and I love watching EuroLeague. I know how good the competition is.

"I do not know if it ever happens, but if something, I am hoping to come back," Mamukelashvili added. "But right now, my head is straight to the NBA to show everybody that I can be an NBA player and that I belong to this league."

Indeed, the 24-year-old Georgian proved his worth at the end of the last NBA season.

After spending four college seasons at Seton Hall, Mamukelashvili was selected 54th overall in the 2021 draft. He spent the majority of his first two NBA seasons on a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, but his playing time varied between 9.9 and 9.0 minutes in his rookie and sophomore NBA seasons, respectively.

Everything changed on March 3, 2023, when he officially joined the San Antonio Spurs and got under the wing of Gregg Popovich. In 19 games (seven starts) for San Antonio, he averaged 10.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists over 23.3 minutes.

'Mamu' and San Antonio finished their season early, thus giving him time to enjoy the final stage of the European club basketball season. Mamukelashvili was active on social media, sharing exciting fan scenes from Piraeus and Belgrade.

Although fans may be eager to know which EuroLeague team he'd love to join, Mamukelashvili chose to remain neutral, avoiding any potential flooding of messages on his Twitter and Instagram accounts.

"I cannot say that, man. You know, all the EuroLeague teams are great," he smiled while responding to a BasketNews question. "I love all the teams, but you know, 'Go Spurs Go,' definitely."

Exactly a week ago, Spurs officially re-signed the Georgian big man, and he's excited to return to the rebuilding franchise. Mamukelashvili is determined to contribute to the team's success, give his best effort, and continue to learn from the legendary Coach Pop.

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