Zurab Talakvadze

Mamukelashvili is having a career year.

Toronto Raptors is having a hell of a season. And, surprisingly so. This team was not among the East contenders before the start of the season, but now, almost 20 games have passed by and we are witnessing the complete turnaround of the Canadian team.

And, the one, who did play better than expected is the member of Georgian National Team, small forward Sandro Mamukelashvili. He is elite company from Raptors players, where everybody averages more than 10 points per game. The list is highlited by the usual suspects Brandon Ingram (21.1 pts), followed by always motivated RJ Barrett (19.6). Scottie Barnes, who is having a career year (19.5 pts, 7.6 rebounds, 5.1 dimes, 1.6 blocks, 1.5 steals), might be considered as realistic candidate for this years All Stars game participant. Enter the improving Immanuel Quickley (15.9, 6.1 assists) and a hardest worker on the team, Austrian pivot Jakob Poeltl (11.3, 7.7 rebs).

After that comes Sandro. A quick learner, who picks up a slack and is a menace on a fast break. Sandro is averaging 10.1 points, a second time in his career when he is surpassing 10 points on average (he did top that in 2022/2023 stint with San Antonio Spurs, when he averaged in the second half of the season 10.8 points).

In the last game against Wizards, Sandro had 23 points along with 7 boards, 2 assists and a steal. Sandro was the most active guy from the second unit and helped Toronto to win for the sixth straight time. Mamukelashvili was also good on defense. Never mind, that Toronto was facing the weakest team of the NBA so far. A win is a win. The only fact, that counts.

For the season, Mamukelashvili is gaining the huge respect from the coaches and his teammates. Sandro is initiative and does not hide in some tough situations.

Toronto is having a strong season and on the eve of often injured superstars from the rest of the East, Raptors will probably not loose the ground and stay in the play offs contention at worst.

Sandro, a graduate from Seton Hall, was chosen by 24th pick by the Indiana Pacers in 2021, second round. He is progressing and slowly gaining the ground.

The Raptors are fast and furious. They are fearless and play very solid team game. And, for now, Mamukelashvili is a best pick in the second unit and a reliable person, who scores and attacks at will.

Sandro is on a rise.

And, so is Toronto.

Good times are coming back to Canada.