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The Pirates received their third commitment for the program’s 2017 recruiting class on Thursday, as Montverde Academy power forward Sandro Mamukelashvili chose to play for Seton Hall.
Mamukelashvili chose the Pirates over USC, South Carolina, Maryland, Boston College and Vanderbilt and can bring plenty to this veteran squad. The 6-foot-10, 220 pound 17 year old can stretch the floor with his three point shooting ability and use that stroke to make things happen off the dribble as well.
The left-handed shooter could provide a nice mismatch on the perimeter that the Pirates have not had since Patrik Auda played for Seton Hall three seasons four seasons ago. Mamukelashvili provides the Pirates a stretch four that can make things difficult on opponents.
Seton Hall also gains another solid passing big man who can make things happen off the ball and set up his teammates to make big plays on the offensive end of the floor if he does not do it himself.
The Pirates frontcourt now includes Mamukelashvili along with Angel Delgado (if he returns), Mike Nzei, Ismael Sanogo and Rasheed Anthony.
Zach Braziller of the NY Post spoke with the new Pirate and was told that he hung out with Delgado during his visit to Seton Hall and expects to play with him.
Talked to Seton Hall commit Sandro Mamukelashvili. Said he hung out with Angel Delgado on visit, and expects to play with him. Hmmm. #shbb
— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) April 20, 2017
Seton Hall might be getting their compliment of players back from last year, which makes this commitment even bigger for the program.
Mamukelashvili is originally from the country of Georgia and is coached at Montverde by Kevin Boyle who has won two high school national titles. Boyle used to coach at St. Pat’s in Elizabeth, N.J. where he served as a mentor to Seton Hall assistants Shaheen Holloway and Grant Billmeier. According to Adam of Zagsblog, Billmeier was the lead recruiter in getting Mamukelashvili so that connection must have paid dividends.
This injection of youth can really help the Pirates with depth and matchup options now that they have a player as versatile as Mamukelashvili. Seton Hall still has two scholarships available, and Trevon Duval is still pondering his decision so things could be just getting started for the Pirates this offseason.