Sandro Mamukelashvili's Friendship with Flavor Flav Highlighted During Lakers Preseason Game

LAS VEGAS — Lakers forward Sandro Mamukelashvili has received praise for his play during the preseason. During Tuesday’s loss to the Warriors, his friendship with Flavor Flav drew attention. As Mamukelashvili caught a pass from Quentin Grimes with just under two minutes left in the second quarter, he drove past Yaxel Lendeborg and completed a one-handed dunk over the rookie forward. Close to courtside at T-Mobile Arena, Flavor Flav was seen cheering for Mamukelashvili after the highlight play. Flavor Flav, whose real name is William Jonathan Drayton Jr., has a friendship with the 6-foot-9 Lakers forward that dates back to when Mamukelashvili was selected in the second round of the 2021 draft. Mamukelashvili’s financial advisor is friends with the founding member of Public Enemy, and Flav attended one of Mamukelashvili’s summer league games after he was drafted with the No. 54 pick. Their friendship has included attending a Yankees game together and dining out, leading to Flav's presence at Tuesday’s game. "It’s always cool to have him," Mamukelashvili said. "He’s such a great energy giver. Such a great energy [guy]. He always has this positive impact and always, like [Monday], he was so hyped. We were talking for two hours and he was so hyped and he kind of pumped me up. And I knew he was coming to the game so I was really excited." Flav expressed his happiness for Mamukelashvili, stating, "I’m so happy for him. And I’m happy for the Lakers. I feel the Lakers are lucky to have him."