Famous Georgian Basketball Players

Goga Bitadze is a professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic in the NBA, playing as a center. He was drafted by the Pacers in the 2019 NBA draft. Bitadze began his career with VITA Tbilisi before moving to Mega Basket in Serbia where he excelled and was loaned to Smederevo 1953. He was named MVP of the Junior ABA League and later became a key player for Mega. Bitadze also had a successful loan spell with Budućnost in Montenegro and was recognized as the EuroLeague Rising Star for the 2018–19 season. Additionally, he has represented the Georgian national basketball team at various levels of competition.

Alexander "Sandro" Mamukelashvili is a professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA. He played college basketball for the Seton Hall Pirates where he was named Big East Co-Player of the Year in his senior year. Mamukelashvili started his basketball journey at Montverde Academy and later played on a youth team in Biella, Italy. Despite facing a wrist injury during his junior year, he maintained a strong average of 11.9 points per game, showcasing his resilience and skill on the court.

Tornike "Toko" Shengelia is a prominent Georgian professional basketball player known for his contributions to Virtus Bologna in the Italian Lega Basket Serie A and the EuroLeague. With a successful career, Shengelia has earned recognition for his skills, including an All-EuroLeague First Team selection in 2018. He is a key player in the senior Georgian national team, showcasing his talent on both domestic and international stages. Shengelia's performance and achievements have solidified his position as a respected and accomplished figure in the world of basketball.

Nikoloz Tskitishvili is a retired professional basketball player from Georgia. Standing at 7 feet tall, he primarily played as a forward-center during his career. Tskitishvili was drafted fifth overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 2002 NBA draft. Throughout his professional career, he also had the opportunity to represent the senior Georgian national basketball team. Tskitishvili's time in the NBA allowed him to showcase his skills and contribute to the sport at both the national and international levels.

Taurean Green is a professional basketball player who has competed in various leagues internationally. He played college basketball for the University of Florida, contributing to the team's consecutive NCAA national championships in 2006 and 2007. Green went on to play for several teams in different countries, including a stint with the Georgian national team. His career highlights include playing for Stal Ostrów Wielkopolski in the Polish Basketball League (PLK). Green's experience and success in both college and professional basketball have solidified his reputation in the sport.

Zaza Pachulia is a former professional basketball player turned basketball operations consultant for the Golden State Warriors in the NBA. He began his career in Turkey, was drafted by the Orlando Magic in 2003, and played for seven teams during his 16-year NBA tenure. Pachulia achieved success by winning two championships with the Warriors in 2017 and 2018. He also represented the Georgia national team in various tournaments. Pachulia's career was marked by both skill on the court and controversy, with a reputation for aggressive play.

Jordan Adams is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for Dewa United Banten in the Indonesian Basketball League. He previously played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins, where he achieved notable accomplishments such as being the first UCLA freshman to score 20 or more points in his first four games and earning an all-conference first-team selection in the Pac-12 Conference during his sophomore year. Adams entered the NBA draft in 2014 and was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round before playing two seasons with the team.

Giorgi Shermadini is a prominent Georgian professional basketball player known for his exceptional skills and towering height of 2.17 meters. He plays as a center for Lenovo Tenerife in the Spanish Liga ACB, showcasing his prowess on the court. With a successful career in basketball, Shermadini has established himself as a valuable asset to his team, contributing to their victories with his expertise in the game. His impressive presence and performance make him a key player in the competitive world of basketball.

Jacob Pullen is a professional basketball player for Napoli Basket in Italy's Lega Basket Serie A. He previously played college basketball for the Kansas State Wildcats. Pullen holds dual American-Georgian citizenship and has represented the Georgian national team. Known for his skills on the court, Pullen has transitioned to the professional ranks with success, showcasing his talents in the competitive Italian league. With experience both in the United States and internationally, Pullen continues to make a name for himself in the basketball world.

Matt Janning is a former American-born naturalized Georgian professional basketball player known for his role as a shooting guard. Standing at 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) tall, he made a name for himself playing college basketball for Northeastern University. Throughout his professional career, Janning displayed exceptional skill and talent on the court. His contributions as a shooting guard were highly regarded, and he left a lasting impact on the basketball community with his impressive performances.

Shammond Williams is a retired professional basketball player who played at both point guard and shooting guard positions during his career. He competed in the NBA and in Europe, showcasing his skills on the court. Following his playing days, Williams transitioned into coaching and now serves as an assistant coach for the Old Dominion Lady Monarchs basketball team. With his wealth of experience as a player, Williams brings valuable insights and knowledge to the coaching staff, guiding and mentoring young athletes in their basketball journey.

Giorgi Bezhanishvili is a professional basketball player for the Iowa Wolves of the NBA G League. He previously played college basketball for the Illinois Fighting Illini. As a skilled athlete, Bezhanishvili has showcased his talents on the court, earning recognition for his contributions to the sport. With a successful collegiate career behind him, he has transitioned to the professional level, where he continues to hone his craft and make a name for himself in the competitive world of basketball.

Ricky Hickman is a former professional basketball player who represented the Georgian national team in international competitions. Standing at 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m), he excelled as a shooting guard and point guard. Hickman played a pivotal role in Maccabi Tel Aviv's EuroLeague title win in 2014, earning recognition with an All-EuroLeague Second Team selection. Throughout his career, he showcased his skills on the court and contributed significantly to his teams' success, leaving a lasting impact on the basketball world.

Michael Andre Dixon Jr. is a professional basketball player with a successful career spanning both college and international basketball. He has played for teams like Missouri and Memphis in college, and currently competes for Al Ittihad Alexandria. Dixon Jr. achieved a significant milestone by winning the BAL championship in 2022 with US Monastir, where he also received the league MVP award. He further expanded his career by representing the Georgia national team following his naturalization in 2016, showcasing his skills at EuroBasket 2017.

Thad McFadden is an American-Georgian professional basketball player known for his versatility at both guard positions. He started his career playing college basketball at St. Clair County CC and Fairmont State before entering the 2009 NBA draft. Although he wasn't selected, McFadden found success playing internationally, winning three Cypriot League championships. Currently, he plays for Casademont Zaragoza in the Spanish Liga ACB, showcasing his skills on the professional stage. Additionally, his achievements include being inducted into the Fairmont State Hall of Fame.

Will Thomas is a retired professional basketball player with a successful career. He achieved notable victories in the EuroCup, Champions League, and the Spanish championship. Thomas also played college basketball for George Mason University before transitioning to a professional career. Holding a Georgian passport, he represented both American and Georgian basketball interests. Thomas's contributions to the sport earned him recognition as a skilled athlete with a diverse range of experiences and accomplishments in international basketball competitions.

Jake Tsakalidis is a former professional basketball player known for his impressive height of 7 ft 2 in. He played as a center and held dual citizenship in Georgia and Greece. Tsakalidis had a successful career, playing for various teams in both Europe and the NBA. He was known for his strong defensive presence and shot-blocking abilities on the court. Tsakalidis's combination of size and skills made him a valuable asset to the teams he played for throughout his career.

Tyrone Ellis is an accomplished American-Georgian professional basketball coach and former player, known for his role as a shooting guard. Standing at 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in), he made a successful transition to coaching and was appointed as the first head coach for both the Northern Arizona Suns and the Stockton Kings in the NBA G League. His experience on the court has undoubtedly influenced his coaching style, garnering respect and recognition within the basketball community for his leadership and strategic acumen.