Perhaps the most intriguing addition made by the Los Angeles Lakers this summer is talented big man Sandro Mamukelashvili. The forward/center had a breakout season for the Toronto Raptors last year after spending the previous three seasons with the San Antonio Spurs.
Now, Mamukelashvili joins the Lakers on a new four-year contract and is excited to be a part of the franchise he grew up watching most.
“The organization is very high level,” Mamukelashvili said in his first media availability. “So many championships, so many great players. And I know we play at Crypto.com Arena, but it’s the same thing, to me, growing up watching playing at Staples Center and having this purple and gold jersey, it just means a lot […] Growing up watching Kobe [Bryant] and all those players. Lakers is a household name and it’s unbelievable to be here and have a jersey with my last name on it.”
The Lakers are one of the most iconic franchises in all of sports and Mamukelashvili was able to watch and be inspired by Bryant and the rest of the Lakers while growing up. In fact, he was so inspired that he even got a tattoo representing the Lakers legend.
“Yeah, I got a Mamba Mentality tattoo,” the big man added. “I just love his mindset. You know growing up I used to always say ‘Mamu Mentality’ so it’s a little far from each other, but hopefully I’ll get it closer.”
Time will tell if “Mamu Mentality” catches on, but if he truly embraces that mindset it won’t take long for Mamukelashvili to endear himself to Lakers fans everywhere. And so far that focus and work ethic has pushed him from college ball to where he is at today.
“I think I got that tattoo in like 2018, my second year in college,” Mamukelashvili noted. “I was motivated. I was trying to find a way to get to where I am and find my way into the league. I understood it won’t be an easy journey, but I just gotta keep my head down and keep working.”
So far that has worked out for him in a big way as he finds himself able to don that same purple and gold jersey that he saw Bryant and many others succeed in. And now that he has that new contract it is even more imperative that he maintains the drive and motivation that got him to this point as an important piece for the Lakers.
Sandro Mamukelashvili’s contract could benefit Lakers next year
In addition to what he will bring on the court, the structure of Mamukelashvili’s contract could also benefit the Lakers with what options they will have at their disposal in free agency next summer.
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