Class of 2026 SG Mark Morano Mahmutovič (Slovenia) COMMITTED TO SYRACUSE (4/6/26)

[Cusefan0307]

 

[Niastri]

He's not "big". He's not even as big as Kristof Ongenaet, who was about 6-8, 215.
He looks 3 inches shorter than Marek Dolezaj.
He's about 30 pounds lighter and 2 inches shorter than Petar Majstorovic.
He's more of a guard than a forward.
He's not a stretch 4 anywhere but the lowest levels of Division 1.

On the other hand, Sadiq White was on the roster at 6'9 195lb last season, actually lighter than MMM.

Maliq Brown, 6'8 213
Benny Williams 6'8 215
Jesse Edwards played at 215
Dolezaj at 201
Lydon 6'8 205
Roberson 6'8 212
CJ Fair 6'8 215
Jerami Grant 6'8 210
Wes Johnson 6'7 205
Kris Joseph 6'7 210

All of the above players are notable for being right around Mahmutovič's size. Some are way taller but about his weight, some are right where you would expect MMM to play next season.

MMM is young, and likely will fill out by a few pounds of muscle once reaching campus. Why couldn't he play a little small ball forward alongside Tobiason and Doty. It is starting to look like they might be our three best players, it would be a shame to put (unknown reserve transfer forward) out there instead of one of our best players.

I would at least give Mahmutovič as shot at guarding bigger forwards to reduce his problems from his major defensive weakness, lateral quickness.

Of course, all my conjecture comes from a report suggesting he is now measuring 201cm, which is a true 6'7. If he is already 205lb and can add a few good pounds before the season starts, he is kind of prototype combo forward size, and a number of matchups should favor him against big forwards.

 

[Niastri]

A video I hadn't seen here. I would love it if highlights never had "catch and shoot" threes. It doesn't give you any feel for the player at all, and they didn't really make a play.

That said, there were some nice offensive possessions, including a long look of MMM handling the ball on the drive in isolation starting about 25 seconds into the video. I would call him crafty and skilled with the ball in his hand. But he seems to have an impressive ability to finish through contact and get his soft floater up in a lot of positions.

 

[Niastri]

Another one, still a lot of catch and shoot in his game highlights. But this one shows him making back cuts, dribble drive, pull ups. The level of competition is U18 International ball against Latvia, so it is hard to say how well it translates to the ACC, but I think most of what he does is a grown mans game, not just overpowering children, like many high school recruits.

 

[Orangezoo]

Another one, still a lot of catch and shoot in his game highlights. But this one shows him making back cuts, dribble drive, pull ups. The level of competition is U18 International ball against Latvia, so it is hard to say how well it translates to the ACC, but I think most of what he does is a grown mans game, not just overpowering children, like many high school recruits.

Big take away is that all the things he does well in the short clips are things he can do at this level too because he isn’t leaning on height he’s using skill like good footwork, quick and high release , quick and decisive cutting, utilization of different screens and shielding his shots away from the defender/shot blocker vs making plays that won’t work vs better athletes.

 

[007]

From the tape I've seen, combined with the scouting reports from Givony who knows the talent he played against and has scouted him for 2 years, 3M looks like a 2/3 swing type. He will likely (easily?) be the best pure shooter on the team next season. As per Givony, we paid up to get him, so scouts, coaches, programs must also believe in him. Quickness, lateral movement might be an issue for him vs ACC talent. His ability as an on ball defender could also be a factor - not saying he can or cannot defend, no one here can either.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Count me as someone excited over tape seeing him make catch and shoot 3's. Something sorely lacking here over the years. The ISO stuff is nice, but not necessary.

 

[007]

Count me as someone excited over tape seeing him make catch and shoot 3's. Something sorely lacking here over the years. The ISO stuff is nice, but not necessary.

His ability to shoot off of movement too is what makes him a pure shooter to my eye.

 

[Orangezoo]

His ability to shoot off of movement too is what makes him a pure shooter to my eye.

Yep watch the footwork. Footwork and release are about as good as it gets at this level.

 

[Melancer46]

Another one, still a lot of catch and shoot in his game highlights. But this one shows him making back cuts, dribble drive, pull ups. The level of competition is U18 International ball against Latvia, so it is hard to say how well it translates to the ACC, but I think most of what he does is a grown mans game, not just overpowering children, like many high school recruits.

If you have the time to invest, you can find pretty much all of his full games on YouTube (and I added a handful of them to the spreadsheet that's on the main basketball board). He plays a ton of minutes for his pro team so you can get a lot out of watching those games.

 

[IthacaMatt]

On the other hand, Sadiq White was on the roster at 6'9 195lb last season, actually lighter than MMM.

Maliq Brown, 6'8 213
Benny Williams 6'8 215
Jesse Edwards played at 215
Dolezaj at 201
Lydon 6'8 205
Roberson 6'8 212
CJ Fair 6'8 215
Jerami Grant 6'8 210
Wes Johnson 6'7 205
Kris Joseph 6'7 210

All of the above players are notable for being right around Mahmutovič's size. Some are way taller but about his weight, some are right where you would expect MMM to play next season.

MMM is young, and likely will fill out by a few pounds of muscle once reaching campus. Why couldn't he play a little small ball forward alongside Tobiason and Doty. It is starting to look like they might be our three best players, it would be a shame to put (unknown reserve transfer forward) out there instead of one of our best players.

I would at least give Mahmutovič as shot at guarding bigger forwards to reduce his problems from his major defensive weakness, lateral quickness.

Of course, all my conjecture comes from a report suggesting he is now measuring 201cm, which is a true 6'7. If he is already 205lb and can add a few good pounds before the season starts, he is kind of prototype combo forward size, and a number of matchups should favor him against big forwards.

I think most of the guys you listed are 6-8 or 6-9, and he's just not that tall. His size is closer to Kiyan Anthony than to Sadiq White.

 

[Niastri]

I think most of the guys you listed are 6-8 or 6-9, and he's just not that tall. His size is closer to Kiyan Anthony than to Sadiq White.

If he is actually 201 cm, he's only a little shorter, 6'9 is 206cm... Of course, he is listed anywhere from 6'4 to 6'7 depending on the source. My thought process is White isn't going to play much more than half the minutes. When he is on the bench, do we want a backup PF playing those minutes, though he is 9th in the rotation, or do we want our best scorers, MMM, Doty, and Tobiason out there?

 

[Cappy3]

If he is actually 201 cm, he's only a little shorter, 6'9 is 206cm... Of course, he is listed anywhere from 6'4 to 6'7 depending on the source. My thought process is White isn't going to play much more than half the minutes. When he is on the bench, do we want a backup PF playing those minutes, though he is 9th in the rotation, or do we want our best scorers, MMM, Doty, and Tobiason out there?

Depends on whether we want to get any rebounds, I guess.

 

[Niastri]

Depends on whether we want to get any rebounds, I guess.

My entire premise is that we have a very good rebounder at center before we play small with everybody else.

 

[Cappy3]

My entire premise is that we have a very good rebounder at center before we play small with everybody else.

From your mouth to God’s ear.

 

[IthacaMatt]

If he is actually 201 cm, he's only a little shorter, 6'9 is 206cm... Of course, he is listed anywhere from 6'4 to 6'7 depending on the source. My thought process is White isn't going to play much more than half the minutes. When he is on the bench, do we want a backup PF playing those minutes, though he is 9th in the rotation, or do we want our best scorers, MMM, Doty, and Tobiason out there?

I've been looking a lot for info - more than I should. LOL
I think he's at least 6-5. These kids may still be growing. 6-6 or 6-7 is possible.

But I don't see this kid ever playing a stretch 4. It would be great, of course.
That's kind of what I hoped Majstorovic could have been his 2nd year.

But this kid isn't that guy. He doesn't look physically the type.
Most people list him at guard first, and then G/Forward.

I'm sure he's going to play. He looks like a good player. I'm really glad we got him.

I think either he or Doty is going to have to play significant time at small forward (one seems likely to start as of right now), but neither of them are naturals at the position, in my opinion. Doty looks more suited than MMM.

 

[IthacaMatt]

A video I hadn't seen here. I would love it if highlights never had "catch and shoot" threes. It doesn't give you any feel for the player at all, and they didn't really make a play.

That said, there were some nice offensive possessions, including a long look of MMM handling the ball on the drive in isolation starting about 25 seconds into the video. I would call him crafty and skilled with the ball in his hand. But he seems to have an impressive ability to finish through contact and get his soft floater up in a lot of positions.

Yes, he's really good on the drive, finds lanes, is crafty, like you said.
Not quick, though. Kind of looks like Anthony, honestly.
And he can knock down a three for sure.

 

[Niastri]

Yes, he's really good on the drive, finds lanes, is crafty, like you said.
Not quick, though. Kind of looks like Anthony, honestly.
And he can knock down a three for sure.

Anthony, but a 45% shooter from 3pt range, is a hell of a player.

The Anthony we got, shooting only 25%, needs big improvement to beat out the other wing players we have for minutes.

 

[tptcuse]

Anthony, but a 45% shooter from 3pt range, is a hell of a player.

The Anthony we got, shooting only 25%, needs big improvement to beat out the other wing players we have for minutes.

I’m still one of the few Kiyan believers on this board. He’s basically getting a fresh start and seems to be working hard. I watched the enthusiasm drain out of him throughout the season. I don’t see Gerry letting that happen.

 

[Orangezoo]

I’m still one of the few Kiyan believers on this board. He’s basically getting a fresh start and seems to be working hard. I watched the enthusiasm drain out of him throughout the season. I don’t see Gerry letting that happen.

You aren’t the only one. He has a bag of offensive tools that very few in college do.

 

[SDjohn]

I’m still one of the few Kiyan believers on this board. He’s basically getting a fresh start and seems to be working hard. I watched the enthusiasm drain out of him throughout the season. I don’t see Gerry letting that happen.

I think Kiyan is a different player next year. Just played too fast offensively and couldn’t defend as Freshmen often do. He, and maybe more importantly Carmello, knows exactly what he needs to do this off season. Get stronger…bust your butt on D…. I see him making a big leap next year. Same with Sadiq

 

[IthacaMatt]

Anthony, but a 45% shooter from 3pt range, is a hell of a player.

The Anthony we got, shooting only 25%, needs big improvement to beat out the other wing players we have for minutes.

I think Anthony has a very good shooting stroke. It's his shot selection that drives down his number, and him losing confidence in the 2nd half of the season.

 

[DomeHolmes]

Depends on whether we want to get any rebounds, I guess.

Sadiq averaged 3 rebounds to go with his 6ppg and 51% free-throw shooting. My guess is Dotys rebounds per 40 are close to Sadiqs.

He also had 1/5th of the blocks Kyle had despite being taller and almost equally springy.

These things are because he did not consistently put forth adequate effort. Often did not box out or crash the boards. He had flashes but not consistent at all.

Hopefully Gerry has higher expectations for effort than Red had. Every one playing needs to rebound better than last year.

 

[tptcuse]

Sadiq averaged 3 rebounds to go with his 6ppg and 51% free-throw shooting. My guess is Dotys rebounds per 40 are close to Sadiqs.

He also had 1/5th of the blocks Kyle had despite being taller and almost equally springy.

These things are because he did not consistently put forth adequate effort. Often did not box out or crash the boards. He had flashes but not consistent at all.

Hopefully Gerry has higher expectations for effort than Red had. Every one playing needs to rebound better than last year.

I don’t want to keep bashing Red, but his usage of Sadiq was baffling. I’m not sure if Sadiq knew what to make of it.

I agree with most that he will make a big jump. The way he played after getting injured a few games from the end of a horrendous season spoke a lot about his ability to put in the work. He clearly has the physical attributes needed for success.