Are Ryan Nembhard and Andrew Nembhard related?
Given that they have the same last name and play high-level basketball, the question of whether or not Ryan Nembhard and Andrew Nembhard are related is often asked. The answer is yes, they are.
The fourth-year Gonzaga Bulldogs guard is a blood-relative to the Indiana Pacers' rising standout as Ryan is Andrew's younger brother. Andrew, aged 24, is three years older than Ryan, who is 21 years old.
Considering that Andrew Nembhard is an established starter in the NBA, Ryan is trying to follow in his brother's footsteps to play in the professional league when his Gonzaga days are over.
Did Ryan and Andrew Nembhard ever face off in a college basketball game?
Technically, the two basketball-loving brothers never went against each other in a college basketball game. That said, their two teams did match up in the NCAA Tournament back in 2021.
Ryan Nembhard was nursing a season-ending wrist injury then when he was still playing for Creighton, where he saw brother Andrew lead the Bulldogs over the Bluejays with 17 points, eight assists, and four rebounds.
In 2023, Ryan Nembhard transferred to Gonzaga as Andrew went on to put his name in the 2022 NBA draft after two seasons in Gonzaga. Andrew was selected by the Pacers with the 31st pick in the second round as Ryan was about to go through a new team in his collegiate career.
Can Ryan Nembhard make it to the NBA?
Ryan Nembhard is currently having his best season so far wearing a Zags jersey, averaging practically a double-double of 11.3 points and 9.8 assists while grabbing 3.0 rebounds and getting 1.5 steals a game.
In the Bulldogs' last win over the Indiana Hoosiers on Thursday, the 6-foot facilitator put up a two-way line of 11 points, 13 assists, and five steals while adding two boards en route to the 89-73 victory. His remarkable play as of late has charged Gonzaga to the second seed of the West Coast division with a 6-1 record early in the 2024-2025 season.
Only time will tell if Ryan Nembhard will opt to make himself available for the 2025 NBA draft or if he decides to prepare further with a fifth collegiate season. But, if he stays consistent with his numbers across the board, he can definitely make it into the NBA and potentially set up that head-to-head meeting him and his brother Andrew never had in the NCAA.
Gonzaga will be back in action on Friday, Nov. 29 against the Davidson Wildcats as Nembhard looks to garner more traction for his NBA Draft stock. Meanwhile, Andrew Nembhard and the Pacers will have the continuation of the 2024 NBA Cup against the Detroit Pistons on the same date.