Sandro Mamukelashvili has entered a new stage of his NBA career after joining the Los Angeles Lakers in July 2026. The Georgian-American forward signed with the franchise following a productive season with the Toronto Raptors, bringing renewed attention to his basketball journey and the family that supported his development. His parents, Marianna Oakley and Zurab Mamukelashvili, played important roles in his path from Georgia to professional basketball in the United States.
Mamukelashvili was born in New York City on May 23, 1999, but spent most of his childhood in Tbilisi, Georgia. His family encouraged him to pursue education alongside sports, while his grandmother’s basketball background and his father’s support helped shape his ambitions.
Who Are Sandro Mamukelashvili’s Parents?
Sandro Mamukelashvili’s parents are Marianna Oakley and Zurab Mamukelashvili. Both have Georgian roots, and they raised their three sons, David, George and Sandro, with strong connections to their home country.
Although Sandro was born in the United States, his parents returned to Georgia with him when he was an infant. He grew up in Tbilisi, where basketball became an important part of his childhood.
His mother, Marianna, played a significant role in his upbringing and supported his education while he developed his athletic abilities. His father, Zurab, also encouraged his ambitions, although both parents initially wanted him to concentrate on his studies.
Mamukelashvili previously explained that his family became more supportive of basketball as a professional career when he began attracting attention from Georgia’s youth national teams at approximately 13 years old.
His Father Zurab Mamukelashvili Supported His Basketball Career
Zurab Mamukelashvili has been an important figure in his son’s basketball development. During Sandro’s childhood, Zurab regularly took him to watch Georgian national team games, helping him develop an interest in professional basketball.
One memorable family moment occurred on February 19, 2020, when Zurab traveled from Georgia to watch Sandro play for Seton Hall University against Butler.
Sandro scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds in the game, including the winning basket with less than a second remaining. Seton Hall secured a 74-72 victory, and father and son embraced on the court afterward.
The occasion carried additional significance because Zurab had previously undergone treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma. The game also coincided with Seton Hall’s cancer awareness event.
Following the victory, Sandro said, “This was a big day for him. It felt amazing.”
His Mother Marianna Oakley and Family’s Basketball History
Marianna Oakley has remained a strong supporter of her son’s career, following his games even when the time difference between Georgia and the United States makes watching difficult.
In an earlier interview, she explained that she and Zurab sometimes watched Sandro’s games separately because they reacted differently to the pressure of competition.
Basketball also has a history in Mamukelashvili’s extended family. His grandmother, Ira Gabashvili, was a former captain of the Soviet Union women’s national basketball team.
Although she passed away when Sandro was young, her achievements influenced his decision to pursue the sport.
Mamukelashvili also has two older brothers, David and George. David played soccer and tennis at Bard College and helped introduce his younger brother to basketball.
The family supported Sandro when he moved to Biella, Italy, at 14 to continue his education and basketball development. He later attended Montverde Academy in Florida before joining Seton Hall in 2017.
Sandro Mamukelashvili’s NBA Career and Family Support
Mamukelashvili played four seasons at Seton Hall, earning Big East co-Player of the Year honors in 2021. His college performances helped him enter the NBA, where he was selected with the 54th overall pick in the 2021 draft.
He began his professional career with the Milwaukee Bucks before joining the San Antonio Spurs in 2023. He later signed with the Toronto Raptors for the 2025-26 season.
During his season in Toronto, Mamukelashvili appeared in 80 games, averaging career highs of 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 52.3 percent from the field.
On July 7, 2026, the Los Angeles Lakers officially announced his signing. The 6-foot-9 forward joined the team wearing No. 54 after establishing himself as a productive NBA rotation player.
Mamukelashvili continues to represent Georgia internationally, maintaining the connection to his family’s homeland that began during his childhood in Tbilisi. His parents, Marianna and Zurab, remain central figures in the story of his development from a young basketball player in Georgia to an NBA professional.
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