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"I thought he was really good!" - Mike Budenholzer praises Sandro Mamukelashvili

Originally posted on FanNation Bucks Zone
By Matthew Dugandzic | Last updated 12/7/22

The hot start to the season of the Milwaukee Bucks (17-6) has been a product of their stars playing great, most notably Giannis Antetokounmpo. But it's not all about the big names, as it seems they have different roles guys step up and deliver on certain nights, giving them added depth. Most recently, it was the second-year big man Sandro Mamukelashvili.

Secret weapon?

The 23-year-old Georgian didn't get too many opportunities in his rookie season, or the start of the second year, for that matter. But coach Mike Budenholzer decided to give him a shot, and Sandro responded great.

In the win versus the Hornets, Mamukelashvili got 15 minutes and notched 6 points with 6 rebounds. He would follow it up with an even better performance in Orlando versus the Magic, where Sandro added 8 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal in 23 minutes of action.

A couple of important plays when the game was still in the balance vastly helped Milwaukee, and coach Budenholzer made sure to praise the Georgian.

"I thought Sandro was really good. Really good minutes. His activity. I thought he guarded some guys off the bounce, moved his feet, contested, got the block shot. His corner three was as big as any shot...I thought Sandro really helped us tonight," Budenholzer explained.

The future is bright

On the season, Sandro is only averaging 2.8 points and 2.1 rebounds per game, but if he continues to take advantage of his opportunities, the big man could find a spot in the rotation.

With Giannis, Brook Lopez, and Bobby Portis Jr. getting a lot of minutes in the frontcourt, there is not a lot of time to be had. But even 10-15 minutes a night would be a great step forward in Sandro's career.

After all, the world saw what he could do in the 2022 Eurobasket, dominating with Georgia, making fans wonder if he can translate that play to the NBA floor.