Sandro Mamukelashvili reveals his twist on Kobe Bryant’s ‘Mamba Mentality’

Looking to boost their frontcourt depth, the Los Angeles Lakers signed Sandro Mamukelashvili as a free agent this offseason. While nothing is anywhere close to being set in stone, the incoming six-year veteran forward is a prime candidate to start at power forward this upcoming season. Speaking for the first time since his signing, Sandro Mamukelashvili revealed his fandom of the late Kobe Bryant, including his own take on the Lakers legend’s famous mentality, as per Daniel Starkand of Lakers Nation.

“I got a Mamba Mentality tattoo. I just love his mindset,” Mamukelashvili said. “Growing up I used to always say, ‘Mamu Mentality.’ It’s a little far from each other, but we’re getting closer.”

Lakers fans will certainly love to hear that about Mamukelashvili’s mentality coming into the 2026-27 season. He was among the team’s big spending spree this offseason in an effort to retool the roster around the starting backcourt of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

Along with Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Jaden Hardy and Kevon Looney, Mamukelashvili is one of several newcomers who are essentially replacing last season’s starting five to begin the playoffs. In Game 1 against the Houston Rockets, the Lakers started LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard and Deandre Ayton, all of whom have departed.

This past season, Mamukelashvili appeared in 80 games for the Toronto Raptors, including 13 starts, at a little over 21 minutes per game. He averaged a career-high 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists with splits of 52.3 percent shooting from the field, 38.9 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 74.7 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

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