By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A late boost to playing time alongside more players of the San Antonio Spurs, Sandro Mamukelashvili has been on a role.
“When you keep your faith and just work hard, whenever you get your chances you just come out there and believe in yourself. You believe that it is happening. You take advantage of your opportunity,” he referred to seldom-used players down the stretch of the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season.
The 24-year-old Georgian forward scored 15 points in a winning effort for the Spurs against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday. French wunderkind Victor Wembanyama chipped in a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double.
“Sometimes, teams have schemes for him,” Mamukelashvili described playing alongside Wemby compared to his experience with Giannis Antetokounmpo at the Milwaukee Bucks from 2021 to 2023, “Just being with Giannis too, you saw that every time. They had a defensive scheme for him. How to make him uncomfortable enough.”
“The best thing about Vic is that he loves passing the ball,” he continued referring to Wembanyama nearing a triple-double with nine assists, “Even though sometimes he doesn’t make a shot, every time you are open, he won’t be a selfish player who tries to just jack up a shot. He is going to give you the ball and trust your decision-making. I just love playing with him. He is a great player.”
“I can’t be a complete player if I don’t make my teammates better,” responded Wemby, “If it shows up in assists, that’s great.”