Milwaukee Bucks: What Draft Analysts said about Sandro Mamukelashvili

A quick turnaround it was, just over a week after the Milwaukee Bucks were crowned NBA Champions, the NBA draft was taking place just nine days later. And for GM Jon Host, he was active right away.

Entering the draft, Milwaukee held only the 31st selection, a pick that they received in their trade with Houston that brought PJ Tucker to the Cream City. But Horst would trade that selection away to Indiana and in return, received the 54th, and 60th picks in this year’s draft as well as two additional future second-round selections.

With their 54th pick, the Milwaukee Bucks selected Sandro Mamukelashvili from Seton Hall. Mamukelashvili is an experienced player, having played four seasons with the Pirates. Over his final three seasons in which he saw the bulk of this playing time, Mamukelashvili averaged 30.6 minutes per game, shooting 45.8 percent from the field, including 34.3 percent from 3 on 3.3 attempts per game. Mamukelashvili’s best season from behind the arc came during his junior year when he knocked down 43.4 percent of his shots on 2.7 attempts per game.

Listed at 6’11” and weighing 240 pounds, he would average 12.5 points per game during that span, along with 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 0.7 steals. He is someone who improved every year that he was in school and earned All-Big East honors during the 2020-2021 season and was also named Big East Player of the Year this past season as well behind 17.5 points per game, 3.2 assists, and 7.6 rebounds.

Now for a closer look at Mamukelashvili’s game and what he can add to this already stout Milwaukee Bucks team, here is what a few draft analysts had to say about him in their pre-draft reports.

NBA.com

"“Playing a very unique role for a near 7-footer, Mamukelashvili did a little bit of everything for the Pirates helping space the floor, attacking mismatches one-on-one in the post and on the perimeter, serving as both a screener and ball handler in the pick and roll, and even pushing the ball himself in transition. Even serving as a facilitator at times, he may not have been overly efficient last season, but at his best, he stood out in a role unlike many in modern college basketball history.“Holding his own for stretches defensively last season, Mamukelashvili has decent feet for his size, but is not an especially prolific rebounder or impactful rim protector.”"

Sam Vecenie – The Athletic ($$)

"“May be the most bizarre player in the 2021 NBA Draft. Can’t emphasize enough how weird his game is. He’s going to be a very situational player. Needs to find a team that will be willing to take advantage of his ability to grab and go and lead the break, as well as his dexterity and fluidity with the ball in his hands. He also needs to find the right home defensively with a scheme that can insulate him. There are limited parameters where he’s going to be truly successful, but if the right team can unlock him and he gets the jumper figured out in terms of consistency, he could be a legitimately interesting third big man. Mamukelashvili can take advantage of a lot of different mismatches in the NBA.”"

Jeremy Woo – Sports Illustrated

"“An unusual but effective college player, Mamukelashvili brings a degree of versatility as a big who can legitimately pass, handle and shoot. He’s built an interesting, if not wholly convincing case in the second round. He’s not a great athlete, but combines enough physicality and skill to have an outside shot at an NBA bench spot. He’ll be better suited for the four than the five due to his defensive shortcomings, and is skilled enough to float to the perimeter and add some value. Mamukelashvili will need a creative team to optimize his unique skills, but will be an intriguing flier whether or not he gets drafted.”"