Ryan Nembhard‘s surname may ring a bell to many people, but it is often associated with Andrew, the Pacers’ shifty guard. Now, there’s a new kid on the block, and he’s lighting up the Dallas skyline.
Many are still unfamiliar with the outstanding rookie, but that will change very soon.
Before Ryan Reached The Big Leagues
On March 10, 2003, Canada was given their next basketball star. Ryan and his brother, Andrew, picked up basketball at a young age and got hooked on it. Their father helped them immensely along the way, and they pushed each other to the limit on the basketball court… and sometimes over it.
Nembhard’s first major stop on his basketball journey took him to high school at Montverde Academy, well known for producing NBA talent like clockwork. He was a part of the historic, undefeated 2020 team that won a national title. In his senior year, he led Montverde to another title, winning the MVP of the game in the process.
The star guard also represented Team Canada at several international tourneys. Nembhard had many offers to go play college ball, Ohio State and Florida, to name a notable few, but eventually chose to go to Creighton.
He starred immediately. Nembhard’s first game was a 15-point, 10-assist double-double against Arkansas Pine-Bluff. He had a few more outstanding performances before breaking his wrist, an injury that would end his season. It didn’t stop him, however, from winning Big East Freshman of the Year, and he carried that momentum into a sophomore year where he played a big part in the Bluejays’ Elite Eight appearance. After that, Nembhard explored his options in the transfer portal.
He chose to move to an emerging blue blood in Gonzaga, where his name got even bigger. He led the nation in assists per game at 9.8 his senior year, and led the Bulldogs to another West Coast Conference title. Nembhard had the stats and makeup of a future NBA draft pick, and he turned even more heads in pre-draft scrimmages. Nembhard seemed like a lock to get drafted.
Right?
Mavericks Find A Diamond Off The Street
The 2025 NBA Draft came and went, but Ryan Nembhard’s name was not called. 30 teams had passed on him several times over, but they all had a chance to take on the kid once the draft concluded.
Only one jumped at the chance.
The Dallas Mavericks, fully aware of their dire point guard situation, signed him to their squad on a two-way contract in June. In the Summer League, he showed out consistently, averaging 11.5 points and 6.7 assists per game.
His best performance in that time might’ve been his first one, a 21-point, 5-assist game against the Lakers. He consistently showed a performance level that warranted being on the roster.
Indeed, Nembhard would be on the roster for Opening Night, but as a bench player. The Mavs sputtered out of the gate, and their offense looked woeful through the first few months of the year. A clear issue emerged. Dallas didn’t have a true point guard to run the show and orchestrate the offense.
Except… they did.
On Nov. 28, Nembhard got his first start at the one for the Mavericks, against the Lakers, who employed the last great Dallas point guard.
Nembhard went for 17 points on 7-11 shooting, tacking on 4 assists. Two nights later against the Denver Nuggets, he went nuclear, etching 28 points, 10 assists and zero turnovers. That night in Denver was his last night as an unknown name in the NBA space.
Nembhard hasn’t let go of the starting PG role since, and it’s not just him that’s performing either. Before he started, the Mavericks were 29th in PPG and 27th in FG%.
In Nembhard’s seven starts, they’re 11th and 5th in those categories. They’re not playing the bottom of the league either. They’ve played several Western titans, including the defending champion Thunder, the Rockets (who they beat!) and the Lakers in that time.
This offense has been looking for a hero, and Nembhard has promptly been that and more. It’d be best to get to know Ryan, because he’s gonna be around for a very long time.
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