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Ryan Nembhard Joins Top Eastern Conference Team in Latest ESPN Mock Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Andy Patton | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 9:02 PM ET

The 2025 NBA draft is roughly one week away, with the first round set to begin on Wednesday, June 25 at 5:00 PM PT while the second round will start 24 hours later.

Gonzaga guard Ryan Nembhard is unlikely to hear his name called on Wednesday, but it is becoming increasingly likely he is selected sometime on Thursday during the second round of the draft - thanks to a strong performance at the NBA combine last month as well as multiple high level guards opting to return to school instead of going pro.

ESPN's latest mock draft has Nembhard sneaking into the second round, going No. 58 overall to the Cleveland Cavaliers - the second to last pick in the draft.

Latest 2025 ⁦@NBA⁩ mock draft: ⁦@DraftExpress⁩ - via @ESPN App https://t.co/9lED5PV8Yw
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) June 17, 2025

Cleveland won the Eastern Conference regular season last year, going 64-18 and cruising into the playoffs as the No. 1 seed before they were displaced by none other than Ryan's brother Andrew and his Indiana Pacers in the conference semifinals.

Led by star guards Donovan Mitchell (24 points per game) and Darius Garland (20.6 points, 6.7 assists) Cleveland could look at Nembhard as an older more NBA ready prospect who can serve as a backup option at the one.

Most of Cleveland's other guards are more comfortable playing off the ball, giving Nembhard a chance to compete for a role right away - not something many late second round picks get a chance to do.

Nembhard measured at 5'11 at the combine with a 6'2 wingspan, and his slight frame is working against him in a league that is focused on size and length now more than ever before.

Still, his elite floor vision, pick and roll navigation, and improved outside shooting give him a decent floor to contribute at the next level right away, and a team like Cleveland is an obvious choice to select him and raise their championship floor.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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