Tacko Fall
January 30, 2025
Mangok Mathiang
- Nationality: AUS/SSD
- Date of Birth: 8/10/92
- Place of Birth: Melbourne (VIC)
- Position: CTR
- Height (CM): 208
- Weight (KG): 104
- Junior Assoc:
- College: Louisville (2013–2017)
- NBL DEBUT: 18/09/22
- AGE AT DEBUT: 29
- LAST NBL GAME: 4/03/24
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 31
- NBL History: Illawarra 2023 | New Zealand 2024
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Mangok Mathiang was born in Melbourne (VIC). He later moved to the USA where he attended IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida) as a teenager.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Mangok Mathiang made his NBL debut with the Illawarra Hawks at 29 years of age. He scored eight points in his first game.
After two consecutive seasons of reaching the NBL semi-finals, the Illawarra Hawks experienced a significant shift with the departure of head coach Brian Goorjian, who signed with the Bay Area Dragons in the East Asia Super League. Longtime assistant coach Jacob Jackomas was promoted to head coach, tasked with maintaining the team’s success. However, the Hawks faced a tumultuous season, with a mass exodus of key players leaving only Tyler Harvey and Sam Froling as holdovers from the previous rotation. Among the departures were Duop Reath (to Lebanon), Justinian Jessup (to Spain), Antonius Cleveland (to Adelaide), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (to Melbourne), Harry Froling (to Brisbane), and the retirement of AJ Ogilvy.
To fill the gaps, Illawarra signed local talents Deng Deng (via Brisbane), Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (via Perth), and Mangok Mathiang, who was returning from injury after playing in the NBL1. The roster was rounded out with imports Justin Robinson and George King.
The Hawks opened the season with a mixed start, losing to Sydney (97–106) before defeating South East Melbourne (85–72) behind Tyler Harvey’s strong 22-point performance. However, injuries plagued the team early, with Justin Robinson suffering a meniscus tear in the season opener, sidelining him for the year. Kevin White (via Perth) was signed as a short-term injury replacement. Nine games later, Illawarra released George King (10.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 0.9 assists) due to a persistent lower leg injury.
Former New Zealand guard Peyton Siva (9.3 points, 6.3 assists, and 1.6 steals) was signed to replace Robinson but played only 11 games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. By mid-November, the Hawks were 1–9, relying heavily on Lachie Dent (4.9 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists), Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (4.9 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.9 assists), and injury replacement Davo Hickey (4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.0 steals). Former Perth Wildcats import Michael Frazier II was signed to bolster the roster.
The Hawks snapped a nine-game losing streak in December, defeating Melbourne (93–79) behind Sam Froling’s dominant 29-point performance, with Michael Frazier II (16 points) and Tyler Harvey (15 points) contributing. However, Frazier’s season was cut short after suffering a broken arm in a game against Adelaide. At the time of his injury, Frazier was Illawarra’s highest-scoring player, averaging 17.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.
It wasn’t until the third-to-last game of the season that Illawarra secured another win, edging New Zealand (78–76) in a thrilling finish. Tyler Harvey (25 points and 3 steals) hit a match-winning shot in the final moments, while Mathiang (15 points and 5 rebounds) provided critical support. Despite their best efforts, the Hawks ended the season with a 3–25 record, marking the worst in the club’s history. Tyler Harvey (18.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.5 steals) led the team in scoring, Sam Froling (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists) won the team’s MVP award, and Mangok Mathiang (7.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks) delivered consistent contributions over 25 games.
NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS
2023/24
New Zealand began Mody Maor’s second season after an 18-10 campaign ended with a game-five Championship Series loss to Sydney. Barry Brown Jr. (to France), Jarrell Brantley (to Nagasaki), Dererk Pardon (to Chiba) and Rayan Rupert (to Portland) departed, while Robert Loe retired. William McDowell-White, Cameron Gliddon, Izayah Le’Afa and captain Thomas Abercrombie returned, with Finn Delany (via Bonn), Mangok Mathiang (via Hapoel Eilat), Dane Pineau (via South East Melbourne), Mantas Rubstavicius (via Lietkabelis), Parker Jackson-Cartwright (via Besiktas), Zylan Cheatham (via Bayern Munich) and Justinian Jessup (via Zaragoza) joining the roster.
Mathiang signed a one-year agreement after completing the previous season in Israel, replacing Pardon as New Zealand’s defensive presence in the middle. Maor believed the centre had returned to full fitness following the leg injury which affected the previous two seasons, saying, “I think he’s influenced winning everywhere he’s been, when he was healthy.”
New Zealand opened against Cairns at Spark Arena on September 30, where Mathiang (11 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks) made five of six field goals as the Breakers won 98-87. Jackson-Cartwright (25 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 6 steals) and Delany (18 points and 2 steals) led New Zealand, while Sam Mennenga (17 points and 4 rebounds) was Cairns’ leading scorer.
Mathiang (6.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks across 30 games) appeared in every regular-season and postseason game, providing New Zealand with rebounding, rim protection and a reliable pick-and-roll option throughout an injury-disrupted campaign.
His strongest rebounding performance came against Perth at RAC Arena on November 10, where Mathiang (11 points and 14 rebounds) recorded his first double-double of the season. Anthony Lamb (25 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Jackson-Cartwright (20 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) led New Zealand, but Bryce Cotton (37 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) carried Perth to a 94-76 victory.
Mathiang’s best scoring game came against Melbourne at John Cain Arena on February 11, where he made eight of nine field goals to finish with a career-high 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals. Jackson-Cartwright (24 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) and McDowell-White (19 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) provided support, while Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. (19 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) led Melbourne to a 94-81 victory.
Jessup (9.5 points across 2 games) was sidelined by a pelvis injury after the opening fortnight, leading to Lamb (via Golden State) joining as his replacement. Jackson-Cartwright (20.6 points, 5.8 assists, and 1.9 steals across 30 games) led New Zealand’s offence, with Lamb (19.5 points and 6 rebounds across 22 games), Cheatham (15.3 points and 6.8 rebounds across 19 games), Rubstavicius (9.4 points across 25 games) and McDowell-White (9.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists across 24 games) providing the main support. Jackson-Cartwright and Lamb were selected to the All-NBL First Team, while Jackson-Cartwright received New Zealand’s club MVP award.
Mathiang remained available throughout New Zealand’s late recovery from an 8-12 record, with the Breakers winning five of their final eight regular-season games. Sydney, New Zealand and Brisbane each finished at 13-15, with points percentage placing the Kings fifth, the Breakers sixth and the Bullets seventh.
New Zealand travelled to Qudos Bank Arena for the Play-In Qualifier, where Mathiang (7 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 block) helped the Breakers control the glass. Jackson-Cartwright (34 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) and Cheatham (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals) led New Zealand, while Jaylen Adams (18 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) and DJ Hogg (17 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) were Sydney’s best as the Breakers won 83-76 and eliminated the two-time defending champions.
The second Play-In game moved to the WIN Entertainment Centre, where Mathiang (11 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocks) made all four of his field-goal attempts. Jackson-Cartwright (19 points, 9 assists, and 2 steals) and Cheatham (14 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 steal) also contributed, but Justin Robinson (26 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Sam Froling (21 points and 9 rebounds) led Illawarra to an 88-85 victory, ending New Zealand’s season one game short of the semifinals.
Mangok Mathiang played two seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Illawarra Hawks and the New Zealand Breakers. He averaged 7.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in 55 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 31 | New Zealand | 13-15 (6) | 30 | 599.7 | 201 | 182 | 11 | 61 | 121 | 11 | 36 | 30 | 88 | 83 | 148 | 56% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 35 | 62 | 56% | 57% | 56% | 17 |
| 2022-23 | 30 | Illawarra | 3-25 (10) | 25 | 464.7 | 193 | 127 | 17 | 44 | 83 | 13 | 24 | 40 | 53 | 79 | 142 | 56% | 1 | 10 | 10% | 34 | 51 | 67% | 58% | 56% | 15 | Totals | 55 | 1064 | 394 | 309 | 28 | 105 | 204 | 24 | 60 | 70 | 141 | 162 | 290 | 55.9% | 1 | 10 | 10.0% | 69 | 113 | 61.1% | 58% | 56% | 17 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 31 | New Zealand | 13-15 (6) | 30 | 20.0 | 6.7 | 6.1 | 0.4 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 2.8 | 4.9 | 56% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 1.2 | 2.1 | 56% | 57% | 56% | 17 |
| 2022-23 | 30 | Illawarra | 3-25 (10) | 25 | 18.6 | 7.7 | 5.1 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 3.3 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 3.2 | 5.7 | 56% | 0.0 | 0.4 | 10% | 1.4 | 2.0 | 67% | 58% | 56% | 15 | Total | 55 | 19.4 | 7.2 | 5.6 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 3.7 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 2.6 | 2.9 | 5.3 | 55.9% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 10.0% | 0.0 | 0.2 | 61.1% | 58% | 56% | 17 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 17 | 14 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- Casey (2022)
In 2022, Mathiang played four games with the Casey Cavaliers in NBL1 South and averaged 18 points and 8.5 rebounds.
FIBA EXPERIENCE
Mathiang was a part of the South Sudans first ever national team to qualify for the FIBA World Cup. The Bright Stars, who competed in the 2023 tournament made history again on August 28 when South Sudan earned its first World Cup victory with a dominant win over China in Manila, Philippines.
South Sudan would qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris by finishing as the best African team in the World Cup by beating Angola in their final game. This will be their first-ever Olympics.
FIBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 32 | 4 | 112 | 2 | 32 | 6 | 12 | 20 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 10 | 18 | 36 | 50.0% | 4 | 10 | 40.0% | 12 | 18 | 66.7% | Total | 4 | 112 | 2 | 32 | 6 | 12 | 20 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 10 | 18 | 36 | 50% | 4 | 10 | 40% | 12 | 18 | 67% |
FIBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 32 | 4 | 28.0 | 0.5 | 8.0 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 4.5 | 9.0 | 50.0% | 1.0 | 2.5 | 40.0% | 3.0 | 4.5 | 66.7% | Total | 4 | 28.0 | 0.5 | 8.0 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 4.5 | 9.0 | 50% | 1.0 | 2.5 | 40% | 3.0 | 4.5 | 67% |
NBA EXPERIENCE
Mathiang played 4 games in the NBA. He averaged 2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 0 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- August 2, 2017: Signed a two-way contract with the Charlotte Hornets.
-
August 15, 2018: Waived by the Charlotte Hornets.
-
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 57% | 40% | 53% | 95% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 17 | 4 | 2 | 4 | ||||||
| Total | 162 | 290 | 55.9% | 1 | 10 | 10.0% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | 25 | Charlotte | C | 4 | 0 | 20 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 57% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 54% | 57% | Total | 4 | 0 | 20 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 57% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
NBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | 25 | Charlotte | C | 4 | 0 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 57% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0% | 54% | 57% | Total | 4 | 0 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 57% | 0.3 | 0% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Italy - Vanoli Cremona (2018–2019) | Turkey - Bahçeşehir Koleji (2019–2020) | Slovenia - Cedevita Olimpija (2020–2021) | Israel - Hapoel Eilat (2023), Maccabi Ironi Ramat Gan (2024) | China - Ningbo Rockets (2024–2025), Beijing Ducks (2025–2026) | Korea - Daegu KOGAS Pegasus (2025)
Mathiang joined Vanoli Cremona for the 2018–19 Lega Basket Serie A season in Italy, and he won the Italian Cup with the club while averaging 9.6 points and 7.1 rebounds across 31 league games.
Mathiang joined Bahçeşehir Koleji for the 2019–20 Basketbol Süper Ligi season in Turkey, and he averaged 12.9 points and 6.8 rebounds across 20 league games.
Mathiang joined Cedevita Olimpija for the 2020–21 season in Slovenia, but he missed the season after suffering a right leg injury in practice that required surgery and then parted ways with the club in August 2021.
Mathiang joined Hapoel Eilat for the 2022–23 Israeli Basketball Premier League season in Israel after signing on 29 January 2023, and he averaged 12.3 points and 7.0 rebounds across 10 games.
Mathiang joined Maccabi Ironi Ramat Gan for the 2023–24 Israeli Basketball Premier League season in Israel after signing on 11 March 2024, and he averaged 7.7 points and 4.0 rebounds across 12 games.
Mathiang joined the Ningbo Rockets for the 2024–25 Chinese Basketball Association season in China after signing on 26 September 2024, and he averaged 13.0 points and 9.5 rebounds across 33 games.
In 2025, Mathiang signed with Korean club KOGAS Pegasus but left only a few games into the season due to an ongoing ankle injury.
Mathiang joined Daegu KOGAS Pegasus for the 2025 Korean Basketball League playoffs in Korea after signing on 9 April 2025 as an injury replacement for Youssou Ndoye, and he was available for Game 1 of the first-round series on 12 April 2025.
Mathiang joined the Beijing Ducks for the 2025–26 Chinese Basketball Association season in China, and he was listed on the club roster for that season.
COLLEGE
Mangok Mathiang played college basketball for the University of Louisville Cardinals from 2013–14 through 2016–17, after sitting out the 2012–13 season due to NCAA eligibility rules related to his international move. During his time at Louisville, he appeared in 114 games with 44 starts, primarily as a forward/center who provided rebounding, rim protection and physical defence in Rick Pitino’s rotation.
In his freshman season (2013–14), Mathiang played in all 37 games with 14 starts, averaging 3.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, and he led the team in blocked shots while finishing seventh in the American Athletic Conference in blocks per contest. He also played in all three of Louisville’s NCAA Tournament games that year, contributing six points, seven rebounds and five blocks as the Cardinals advanced to the Sweet 16.
As a sophomore (2014–15), Mathiang appeared in 34 games with nine starts and again averaged 1.4 blocks per game, ranking sixth in the Atlantic Coast Conference in blocked shots. He also posted a team-high mark in contested rebounds in numerous outings and scored season-high totals against Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh.
During his junior year (2015–16), Mathiang was named a team captain for the second straight season and averaged 7.1 points and 5.7 rebounds in 18.8 minutes per game before a foot injury (a broken fifth metatarsal) on December 19, 2015 ended his season early; he missed the final 21 games. He had produced five double-doubles for Australia while competing for his national team at the 2015 World University Games, where he led the event in rebounding and finished tied for eighth in scoring.
Mathiang’s senior season (2016–17) was the most productive of his NCAA career, as he averaged 7.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 20.8 minutes per game across 33 appearances, with 19 starts. His inside presence was key to Louisville’s 25–9 record and strong ACC performance, and he reached career highs in playing time and production while anchoring the Cardinals’ frontcourt defence.
Over his full college career, Mathiang finished with 551 points, 546 rebounds and 146 blocks while shooting 51.2 percent from the field (413–for–806) and not attempting a three-pointer, establishing a reputation as a defensive and rebounding specialist. He also earned All-ACC Academic Team honours in 2015 and 2016, reflecting strong performance off the court.
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