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 four points in his first game.
Following two consecutive semifinal appearances, Illawarra underwent significant changes before the 2022/23 season. Head coach Brian Goorjian departed to coach the Bay Area Dragons in the East Asia Super League, with long-time assistant Jacob Jackomas promoted as his replacement. Duop Reath (to China), Justinian Jessup (to Spain), Antonius Cleveland (to Adelaide), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (to Melbourne), Harry Froling (to Brisbane) and Emmett Naar (to the Netherlands) departed, while AJ Ogilvy retired, leaving Tyler Harvey and Sam Froling as the only players retained from the previous season’s main rotation.
The Hawks added Deng Deng (via Brisbane), Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (via Sydney) and imports Justin Robinson and George King.
Mangok Mathiang (via Casey) joined Illawarra on a one-year deal after playing four games for the Cavaliers in the NBL1 South. It marked his return to professional basketball after breaking his tibia and fibula while playing for Cedevita Olimpija in 2020. Jackomas said, “Mathiang is known for his physical play, rim protection and high motor, making him a key addition to our squad.”
Illawarra opened the season against Sydney at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 1, where the returning centre (4 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks) came off the bench in a 106-97 loss. Lachlan Dent (19 points) and Harvey (18 points) led the Hawks, while Derrick Walton Jr (32 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 steal) led the Kings.
Mathiang (7.7 points and 5.1 rebounds across 25 games) came off the bench in every appearance, shot 55.6 per cent from the field and finished sixth in the NBL in blocks during his first professional campaign in almost two years.
Five days after the opening loss, Mathiang (10 points) contributed to Illawarra’s first win of the season against South East Melbourne. Harvey (22 points and 5 rebounds) and King (16 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Hawks, while Junior Madut (21 points and 7 rebounds) was the Phoenix’s leading scorer as Illawarra won 85-72.
Robinson (10 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists across one game) suffered a meniscus tear during the opening game and underwent season-ending surgery. Kevin White (via Perth, 0.6 points across five games) initially joined as a short-term injury replacement before Peyton Siva (via New Zealand, 9.3 points, 6.3 assists, and 1.6 steals across 11 games) was signed for the remainder of the season, but his campaign was also ended by a shoulder injury. King (10.7 points and 4.1 rebounds across nine games) returned to the United States after scans revealed the extent of a persistent lower-leg injury, with Michael Frazier II (via Perth, 17.3 points and 3.9 rebounds across eight games) added as his replacement before suffering a broken left arm against Adelaide. Illawarra had fallen to 1-9 by mid-November as injuries continued to disrupt the roster.
Mathiang’s best all-round game came at the Cairns Convention Centre on January 13, where he made five of seven field goals and finished with 14 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 blocks. Harvey (25 points and 5 assists) and William Hickey (16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals) also produced strong performances, while Tahjere McCall (24 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals) led Cairns to an 89-84 win.
Mathiang’s highest-scoring game came six days later at Spark Arena, where he scored the final nine points of a 15-0 opening-quarter run, made the first three-pointer of his NBL career and finished with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. Harvey (25 points and 3 steals) made a near half-court three-pointer as time expired and Froling (11 points and 6 rebounds) provided support, while Dererk Pardon (19 points, 17 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led New Zealand as Illawarra ended an 11-game losing streak with a 78-76 win.
TYLER HARVEY TO WIN THE GAME. HE IS MAGIC 🪄
UNRIVALLED DRAMA
WHAT A GAME OF NBL BASKETBALL 🏀 pic.twitter.com/218UNw8XkS
— NBL (@NBL) January 19, 2023
Mathiang’s final appearance came against Brisbane at the WIN Entertainment Centre on January 21, where he finished with 10 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block. Harvey (22 points) and Daniel Grida (13 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals) led Illawarra, while Tyler Johnson (23 points and 4 assists) helped the Bullets win 103-86.
Five days later, Mathiang (to Hapoel Eilat) and the Hawks agreed to a mutual release from the remainder of his contract, allowing him to accept an international opportunity with three games remaining. Dent was elevated to the main roster, Harry Morris became an injury replacement for Frazier II and additional minutes at centre became available for Froling and Akoldah Gak. Mathiang said, “My time at the Hawks and with this group of guys has exceeded all my expectations.”
Harvey (18.9 points and 1.5 steals across 27 games) led Illawarra in scoring and received the Members’ Choice Award, while Froling (14 points and 8 rebounds across 28 games) was named club MVP and finished second in voting for the NBL’s Next Generation Award. Deng (8.6 points and 6.5 rebounds across 28 games) was another consistent starter, while Grida (5.1 points and 3.9 rebounds across 14 games) returned in Round 11 after two injury-interrupted seasons and received the Community Award. Swaka Lo Buluk (4.9 points across 28 games) was named Defensive Player of the Year and Gak (1 point across 13 games) received the Players’ Player Award.
Despite losing four imports to season-ending injuries, Illawarra suffered 14 losses by ten points or fewer. The Hawks closed the season against Tasmania at the WIN Entertainment Centre on February 4, where Harvey (13 points) and Froling (12 points and 7 rebounds) led Illawarra, while Milton Doyle (20 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1 steal) guided the JackJumpers to an 87-63 win, leaving the Hawks in 10th place with a franchise-worst 3-25 record.
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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