Gregg Popovich Likes 'Everything' About Newest Spurs Big Man Sandro Mamukelashvili

Sandro Mamukelashvili has made an impact on the San Antonio Spurs in his brief time with the team.

The San Antonio Spurs and Gregg Popovich have a history of developing European talents, and that's possibly part of the reason why the team signed Sandro Mamukelashvili earlier this month after he was waived by the Milwaukee Bucks.

"He's European, which makes me love him right off the bat because I think those guys are unbelievably well-coached and overall understand the game better than most of us here," Popovich said.

Mamukelashvili, 23, was born in New York City but grew up in Tbilisi, Georgia. When he was 14, Mamukelashvili moved to Italy and grew in the youth club scene before transferring ahead of his high school senior season to Montverde Academy in Florida.

From there, Mamukelashvili committed to Seton Hall and played all four years there. He went from virtual benchwarmer to a starter averaging 17.5 points per game by his senior season. Given his seasoning at Seton Hall, his 6-10 frame and ability to shoot from distance, it was enough to be drafted by the Indiana Pacers with the No. 54 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

The Pacers traded his draft rights to the Bucks, a team that has also built a reputation in developing European talent with Giannis Antetokounmpo and is coached by Mike Budenholzer, a former Spurs assistant.

The Bucks' depth was unable to award him much opportunity in Milwaukee, but now he's making the most of his new home with the Spurs.

"He moves without the ball. He shoots it pretty well. He can pass. He's got good speed. I like everything about him," Popovich said.

In the final handful of games for the Spurs, Mamukelashvili's development is a key storyline in whether San Antonio will bring him back for next season and beyond.

---

You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Spurs? Click Here.

Follow Inside the Spurs on Twitter.

Follow Inside the Spurs on Facebook.

Want even more San Antonio Spurs news? Check out the SI.com team page here