Mangok Mathiang

{{short description|South Sudanese-Australian basketball player}}

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Mangok Mathiang

| image = Mangok Mathiang.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Mathiang with Louisville in 2015

| position = Power forward / center

| height_cm = 208

| weight_kg = 102

| league = KBL

| team = Daegu KOGAS Pegasus

| number = 21

| nationality = South Sudanese / Australian

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1992|10|8}}

| birth_place = Juba, Sudan (now South Sudan)

| high_school =

| college = Louisville (2013–2017)

| draft_year = 2017

| career_start = 2017

| years1 = {{nbay|2017|full=y}}

| team1 = Charlotte Hornets

| years2 = 2017–2018

| team2 = →Greensboro Swarm

| years3 = 2018–2019

| team3 = Vanoli Cremona

| years4 = 2019–2020

| team4 = Bahçeşehir Koleji

| years5 = 2022

| team5 = Casey Cavaliers

| years6 = 2022–2023

| team6 = Illawarra Hawks

| years7 = 2023

| team7 = Hapoel Eilat

| years8 = 2023–2024

| team8 = New Zealand Breakers

| years9 = 2024

| team9 = Maccabi Ironi Ramat Gan

| years10 = 2024–2025

| team10 = Ningbo Rockets

| years11 = 2025–present

| team11 = Daegu KOGAS Pegasus

| highlights =

Slovenian League champion (2021)
Italian Cup winner (2019)

| medal_templates =

}}

Mangok Mathiang (born 8 October 1992) is a South Sudanese-Australian professional basketball player for the Daegu KOGAS Pegasus of the Korean Basketball League (KBL). He played college basketball for the University of Louisville.

Early life and high school career

Mathiang was born in Juba in what is now South Sudan, in central Africa.{{cite web | url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/mangok-tree | title=The Mangok Tree | website=NBA.com }} At the age of five, he, his mother, and five siblings fled war-torn Sudan and moved to Egypt (which Mathiang described as "not that much better than Sudan"), to set up a move to Australia. His father, Alfret, decided to stay behind in Sudan.{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/basketball/mangok-mathiang-could-become-nba-star-after-long-journey-to-us-college/news-story/adf71287d7e3d704d889f9d75d1b712f |title=Mangok Mathiang could become NBA star after long journey to US college |first=Peter |last=Mitchell |date=27 March 2013 |newspaper=Herald Sun |location=Melbourne}}

Mathiang and the rest of his family arrived in Sydney, Australia, with extended family members when he was seven years old, before moving to Melbourne, Australia, a year later, where he then lived for several years.{{Cite web|url=https://gocards.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/mangok-mathiang/6472|title=Mangok Mathiang - Men's Basketball|website=University of Louisville Athletics}} Until he was 16 years old, Mathiang played Australian rules football, rugby, track, and soccer for Emmanuel College in the Melbourne suburb of Altona North. However, due to him being 1.98m tall, he was encouraged to start playing basketball instead. He moved to the United States with his friend, Ran Tut, to achieve that goal.

During his junior year of high school in 2010–11, he played basketball for Brehm Preparatory School in Carbondale, Illinois. After that, Mathiang moved to Bradenton, Florida to play his senior season in 2011–12 at the IMG Academy. In his senior season, he averaged 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks per game as he helped the IMG Academy get a 28–2 record. While Mathiang also received offers from Kansas State University, University of Georgia, Mississippi State University, Auburn University, and Central Michigan University, he ultimately chose to go to the University of Louisville for the people there.

College career

He originally was with the Louisville Cardinals during the 2012–13 season, but due to NCAA regulations relating to international players like Mathaing, he was forced to sit out his first season with the team. Despite that, he still traveled and trained with the team throughout the season, all the way into the 2013 NCAA Championship Game, where the Cardinals won their third NCAA Tournament. Throughout his NCAA career, Mathiang mostly played as a bench reserve for over 114 career games, usually alternating spots as a starter at times for Louisville. In his freshman season, he was seventh in the AAC in blocked shots per game (1.4). In his sophomore season, he was sixth in the ACC in blocked shots per game (1.4).

During his junior season, when he was team captain for the second straight season, he was limited to playing in only 10 games total due to his breaking the fifth metatarsal in his left foot which sidelined him for the majority of that season, and he averaged 7.1 points and 5.7 rebounds in 18.8 minutes of action per game.{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mathima01.html|title=Mangok Mathiang Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more|website=Basketball-Reference.com}}{{cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/mangok-mathiang-1.html |title=Mangok Mathiang College Stats |website=Sports-Reference}} As a result of when the injury came about, he was not deemed eligible for another redshirt season that year. His best season was his senior year with Louisville, when he averaged 7.8 points and 6.0 rebounds in 20.8 minutes of action per game in 33 games played. He was on the ACC All-Academic Team in 2015 and 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurobasket.com/index.aspx|title=Mangok Mathiang Player Profile, Hapoel Yossi Avrahami Eilat, News, Stats - Eurobasket|website=Eurobasket LLC}}

Professional career

=Charlotte Hornets and Greensboro Swarm (2017–2018)=

After going undrafted in the 2017 NBA draft, Mathiang played for the Charlotte Hornets during the 2017 NBA Summer League. In the five games played for the Hornets during the Orlando Summer League, he averaged 4.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per game for the team off the bench. On 2 August 2017, Mathiang signed a two-way contract with the Hornets.{{cite news|title=Hornets Sign Mathiang and Paige to Two-Way Contracts |url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/hornets-sign-mathiang-and-paige-two-way-contracts|access-date=2 August 2017|work=Charlotte Hornets|date=2 August 2017}} Under the terms of the deal, he split the 2017–18 season with the Hornets and their NBA G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm. He played just 20 minutes at the NBA level, becoming the fifth Sudanese-born player to appear in an NBA game, joining Manute Bol, Deng Gai, Luol Deng, and Thon Maker. He spent most of his time in the G League. There, with the Swarm, he averaged 10.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 25.3 minutes per game. He was waived by the Hornets on 15 August 2018.{{cite news |title=Mangok Mathiang: Waived by Charlotte |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/mangok-mathiang-waived-by-charlotte/ |access-date=22 August 2018 |work=CBS Sports |date=15 August 2018}}

=Guerino Vanoli Basket (2018–2019)=

On 22 August 2018, Mathiang signed with Vanoli Cremona of the Lega Basket Serie A.{{cite web |title=ROSTER 2018/2019: MANGOK MATHIANG È UN NUOVO GIOCATORE DELLA VANOLI BASKET CREMONA |url=http://www.vanolibasket.com/roster-2018-2019-mangok-mathiang-e-un-nuovo-giocatore-della-vanoli-basket-cremona/ |website=Vanoli Basket |access-date=22 August 2018 |language=it |date=22 August 2018}} He averaged 11.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. Cremona went to win its first Italian Cup ever by beating New Basket Brindisi 83–74 in the Finals.{{cite web |url=http://web.legabasket.it/news/124560/postemobile_final_eight__per_la_vanoli_cremona_storico_trionfo|title=PosteMobile Final Eight: per la Vanoli Cremona storico trionfo |author= |date=17 February 2019 |website=legabasket.it |access-date=17 February 2019 |language=it |trans-title=PosteMobile Final Eight: Historical first time for Vanoli Cremona}}

=Bahçeşehir Koleji (2019–2020)=

On 11 July 2019, Mathiang signed with Bahçeşehir Koleji of the Turkish Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL).{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/sporarena/mangok-mathiang-ve-trae-golden-bahcesehir-kolejinde-41270987|title=Mangok Mathiang ve Trae Golden, Bahçeşehir Koleji'nde!|work=www.hurriyet.com.tr|date=11 July 2019 |access-date=25 July 2019}} He averaged 12.7 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.{{cite news |title=Cedevita Olimpija signed Mangok Mathiang |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/cedevita-olimpija-officialy-signed-mangok-mathiang/ |website=Sportando |access-date=10 July 2020 |date=10 July 2020|last1=Vezonik |first1=Uroš }}

=Cedevita Olimpija (2020–2021)=

Mathiang was set to play for Cedevita Olimpija of the ABA League in the 2020–21 season,{{Cite web|title=Velikan Mathiang okrepil Cedevito Olimpijo|url=https://www.cedevita.olimpija.com/novice/velikan-mathiang-okrepil-cedevito-olimpijo|website=cedevita.olimpija.com|date=10 July 2020|access-date=10 July 2020|language=Slovenian|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710154000/https://www.cedevita.olimpija.com/novice/velikan-mathiang-okrepil-cedevito-olimpijo|archive-date=10 July 2020}} but later missed the whole season after sustaining a right leg injury in practice that required surgery.{{cite web |last1=Askounis |first1=Johnny |title=Mangok Mathiang out for at least six months |url=https://www.eurohoops.net/en/eurocup/1103575/mangok-mathiang-out-for-at-least-six-months/ |website=Eurohoops |access-date=22 September 2020 |date=21 September 2020}} He re-signed with Cedevita Olimpija in May 2021,{{Cite web|title=MANGOK MATHIANG STAYS IN LJUBLJANA FOR AT LEAST ONE MORE SEASON|url=https://cedevita.olimpija.com/en/mangok-mathiang-stays-in-ljubljana-for-at-least-one-more-season/|website=cedevita.olimpija.com|date=27 May 2021|access-date=29 July 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527110615/https://cedevita.olimpija.com/en/mangok-mathiang-stays-in-ljubljana-for-at-least-one-more-season/|archive-date=27 May 2021}} but was let go in August 2021 after the injury worsened.{{Cite web|title=CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA AND MANGOK MATHIANG PART WAYS|url=https://cedevita.olimpija.com/en/cedevita-olimpija-and-mangok-mathiang-part-ways/|website=cedevita.olimpija.com|date=17 August 2021|access-date=29 July 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817200312/https://cedevita.olimpija.com/en/cedevita-olimpija-and-mangok-mathiang-part-ways/|archive-date=17 August 2021}}

=Illawarra Hawks (2022–2023)=

After a four-game stint with the Casey Cavaliers during the 2022 NBL1 South season,{{cite web |title=Mangok Mathiang |url=https://caseycavaliers.nbl1.com.au/player/bc4019e6-1695-11ec-add4-9e9119a224b2/6585e008-d809-11ec-ab76-5b40c3725f21/mangok-mathiang |website=NBL1.com.au |access-date=29 July 2022}} Mathiang signed with the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League on 29 July 2022.{{cite web |title=Mathiang Signs with Hawks |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/mathiang-signs-with-hawks |website=NBL.com.au |access-date=29 July 2022 |date=29 July 2022}} He parted ways with the Hawks on 26 January 2023 to take up a playing opportunity overseas. He averaged 7.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks (6th in the league) in 25 games during the 2022–23 NBL season.{{cite web |title=Hawks Favourite Set to Depart |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/hawks-favourite-set-to-depart |website=NBL.com.au |access-date=26 January 2023 |date=26 January 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/players/mangok-mathiang-1.html|title=Mangok Mathiang International Stats|website=Basketball-Reference.com}}

=Hapoel Eilat (2023)=

On 29 January 2023, Mathiang signed with Hapoel Eilat of the Israeli Basketball Premier League.{{cite web |title=מנגוק מתיאנג מצטרף להפועל אילת |url=https://www.basket.co.il/news.asp?id=33284 |website=מנהלת ליגת העל בכדורסל |access-date=15 November 2024 |date=29 January 2023}}

=New Zealand Breakers (2023–2024)=

On 13 June 2023, Mathiang signed with the New Zealand Breakers for the 2023–24 NBL season.{{cite news |title=Mangok Mathiang signs with the Breakers on a 1-year-deal |url=https://www.nzbreakers.basketball/news/mangok-mathiang-signs-with-the-breakers-on-a-1-year-deal |website=nzbreakers.basketball |access-date=13 June 2023 |date=13 June 2023}}{{cite web |title=Breakers Sign NBL's "Most Underrated Player" |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/breakers-sign-nbls-most-underrated-player |website=NBL.com.au |access-date=13 June 2023 |date=13 June 2023}}

=Maccabi Ironi Ramat Gan] (2024)=

On 11 March 2024, Mathiang signed with Maccabi Ironi Ramat Gan of the Israeli Basketball Premier League.{{cite web |title=מנגוק מתיאנג חתם במכבי עירוני רמת גן |url=https://basket.co.il/news.asp?id=46873 |website=מנהלת ליגת העל בכדורסל |access-date=15 November 2024 |date=11 March 2024}}

=Ningbo Rockets (2024–2025)=

On 26 September 2024, Mathiang signed with the Ningbo Rockets of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).{{cite web|title=宁波男篮签下尼古拉斯-拉科塞维奇和芒格-马帝昂|url=https://sports.cctv.com/2024/09/26/ARTI8F5NQVm50AkP4YxzFdnL240926.shtml|website=央视网|access-date=26 September 2024|date=26 September 2024}}

=Daegu KOGAS Pegasus (2025–present)=

In April 2025, Mathiang joined the Daegu KOGAS Pegasus of the Korean Basketball League (KBL) for the 2025 playoffs, replacing Youssou Ndoye.{{cite web |title=‘은도예 6주 부상공시’ 가스공사, 만곡 마티앙 영입 |url=https://jumpball.co.kr/news/newsview.php?ncode=1065594518094583 |website=점프볼 |access-date=11 April 2025 |date=9 April 2025}}{{cite web |title=가스공사 새 외국선수 마티앙, 12일 6강 PO 1차전 출전 가능 |url=https://jumpball.co.kr/news/newsview.php?ncode=1065596153056569 |website=점프볼 |access-date=11 April 2025 |date=11 April 2025}}

National team career

Mathiang made his debut for the Australian national team in a 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifying match against Kazakhstan.{{cite web|url=http://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2019/asian-qualifiers/game/2102/Kazakhstan-Australia#tab=boxscore|title=Aussie FIBA World Cup Qualifying 2nd Round - Group F|work=FIBA.com|access-date=22 February 2019}}

In August 2023, Mathiang was named in the South Sudan national team for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.{{cite web|last=Woods|first=Dan|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/south-sudan-names-finalised-world-cup-roster|title=South Sudan names finalised World Cup roster|work=NBL.com.au|date=10 August 2023|access-date=10 August 2023}}