Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard and his team currently in a heated series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. While the third-year guard tries to bring the franchise its first championship, his brother is trying to make it make to the league, starting with a pre-draft workout with the Phoenix Suns. Ryan Nembhard is the younger brother of the Pacers guard and finished his senior season at Gonzaga this past season, entering the 2025 NBA draft class.
Nembhard talked to The Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin about his schedule 15 workouts with NBA teams and the pressure that surrounds him heading into them.
“Just be you. People like you because of what you’ve shown your whole career. It’s not going to change all the sudden now ’cause you’re in this situation. My feel for the game and my impact go with that, just being able to impact and have a feel out there. Make winning plays for a team.”
In his senior season, Nembhard averaged 10.5 points and 9.8 assists on 40.4% from the 3-point line. Throughout Nembhard’s time in Gonzaga he was a consistent starter and leader in the rotation. The Canadian guard averaged double-digit scoring season in his four-year collegiate career and improved his assist numbers every season.
The Suns are in desperate need for a playmaker, with the franchise struggling to find a consistent point guard to initiate the offense. Nembhard has had experience on the biggest stage of March Madness and could translate that success onto an NBA court.
Nembhard has gotten NBA comps to last year Suns guard Tyus Jones for his playmaking ability. Phoenix currently has the 29th and 52nd pick in the 2025 draft, with Bulldogs guard expected to be a late second-round pick. Just like his brother, Nembhard will likely be a second-round pick, and could follow in his footsteps to prove doubters wrong and excel on the professional level.
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