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Seton Hall star Sandro Mamukelashvili is a projected second-round pick in Thursdays NBA Draft, but he says he has first-round talent.

The 6-foot-11 native of the Republic of Georgia is projected at No. 59 to the Nets in the latest ESPN.com mock, but Mamu feels he belongs much higher than that.

Im the least cockiest person, I think, he told Steve Serby of the NY Post. But in my opinion, Im one of the most underrated guys in this draft. I think I can be a top-30 player in this draft. No matter how it goes, Ill be blessed, Ill be so excited. Ill be with my family, and Ill enjoy it. But Ill definitely try to prove to everybody that I have what it takes to be one of the best players.

Mamu, who won a share of Big East Player of the Year honors this past season with the Pirates, said he wont be disappointed if hes chosen in the second round.

No, I will not be disappointed no matter how the night goes, he said. Its a celebration for my family. First, my parents coming to stay, we are al together. I had a lot of workouts. I did my best. I just can control what I can control, control the controllable.

The Nets and Knicks both have multiple picks -- including the Knicks at 58 and the Nets at 59 -- and Mamu has worked out for both local clubs.

It went really good, he told the Post of the Knicks.

[The Nets] went good too, to be honest, he added.

Still, Mamu doesnt want to be perceived as only wanting to play for the local teams -- and says hell feel blessed to play for any NBA team.

Some insiders and experts believe he is being under-valued and will be a sleeper for whoever drafts him.

New Jersey native Kevin Boyle, who coached Mamu at Montverde (FL) Academy and could make history with as many as five or six players from one school chosen on Thursday, spoke to NJ Advance Media about Mamus upside.

I think what Sandro has going for him, No. 1 hes legitimately 6-11, said Boyle, who could produce his third No. 1 pick since 2011 in Oklahoma States Cade Cunningham.

The NBA loves big guys who can stretch the floor. They have to have the 3-point shot, obviously. Secondly, he has the ability to pass and make some individual plays vs. bad four and five matchups. He may not be able to go by some threes because of his handle, but he can go by most fives and many fours. And hes big enough and hes starting to get strong enough, thats probably going to be a the center spot some so he also creates that difficult matchup for some of these bigger centers to go out and stay in front of him.

Mamu shot 43% from deep as a junior and 34% as a senior while facing many double-teams and exotic defenses.

The college guys I was talking to think hell be alright defensively, Boyle said. With his offensive skillset, hes developed nicely over the last five years. I think hes going to end up being a good pro and a good contributor. If you can shoot consistently, you can end up having a solid career.

On Draft night, Mamu hopes to hear his name called not just for himself, but for the kids at home in his native Georgia as well.

I feel like NBA gave me the platform and Seton Hall gave me a platform to reach out to these little kids who are going through a similar situation as me, and especially Georgian kids who have not a lot on their plate and are trying to make it out, Mamu told the Post.

What drives me is to be an example and be the hope for them that everything is possible. No matter how your life is, just keeping my word and keep being a good person, because I feel like being a good person will always help you in the long run, and just spreading good energy will always help you in the long run. Also, my family motivates me because I feel like theyve done so much for me.

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Adam Zagoria is a freelance reporter who covers Seton Hall and NJ college basketball for NJ Advance Media.

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NBA Draft 2021: Despite 2nd-round projections, Seton Halls Mamu says, I can be a top-30 player in this dr - NJ.com