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Ryan Nembhard Joins Top Seeded Eastern Conference Team in Latest NBA Mock Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Andy Patton | Last updated May 29, 2025 9:46 PM ET

The deadline for college basketball players to withdraw from the 2025 NBA draft came and went on Wednesday, May 28, resulting in quite a few draftable stars opting to return to school where they can make guaranteed money through NIL.

The list of returnees was stocked with guards, including Labaron Philon (Alabama), Tahaad Pettiford (Auburn), Milos Uzan (Houston), Boogie Fland (Florida) and PJ Haggerty (Kansas State) which is great news for former Gonzaga guard Ryan Nembhard - as it removes quite a few competitors for a spot among the 59 players selected in June's draft.

Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report updated his mock draft following the withdrawal deadline and he not only had Nembhard getting selected - but he had him among the first 50 players off the board.

Updated mock draft after withdrawal deadline with final NCAA field set https://t.co/Mc0fpfOmUB
— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) May 29, 2025

Wasserman mocked Nembhard No. 49 overall to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who went 64-18 last year en route to the No. 1 overall seed in the Eastern Conference - although they were dispatched in the NBA playoffs by Ryan's brother Andrew and the Indiana Pacers.

"After leading the nation in assists, Ryan Nembhard dished out 14 in two NBA combine scrimmages (three turnovers)," Wasserman wrote. "Athletic and scoring limitations are evident, but he'll get looks from teams who value his ability to run offense and set the table."

Nembhard wasn't invited to the combine initially, but he performed well enough at the G-League Elite Camp to be one of five players given a last minute invite, where he made his mark with strong shooting in the drills and his trademark ball security and facilitation in the scrimmages.

While Nembhard is the only player from last year's Gonzaga team in this mock draft, Wasserman does mock former Zag Hunter Sallis at No. 45 overall to the Chicago Bulls, and former Zag commit Alex Toohey at No. 34 overall to the Charlotte Hornets.

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

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