Ryan Nembhard (born March 10, 2003) is a Canadian professional basketball player who currently serves as a point guard for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Aurora, Ontario native signed with the Mavericks following the 2025 NBA Draft after a distinguished four-year college career at Creighton and Gonzaga. Nembhard is known for his exceptional playmaking ability and court vision, earning recognition as the NCAA assists leader during his senior season at Gonzaga. He competes under the nickname “Nemby” and plays on a two-way contract, spending time with the Texas Legends of the NBA G League.
Ryan Nembhard Bio
Ryan Nembhard has emerged as one of Canada’s most promising young basketball talents in recent years. Standing at 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 meters) and weighing 180 pounds (82 kilograms), the point guard has built a reputation as a dynamic facilitator who can score when needed. His journey from a high school star at Montverde Academy to a professional player in the NBA showcases his dedication to the sport and continuous improvement. Nembhard comes from a basketball family, as his older brother Andrew Nembhard plays professionally for the Indiana Pacers. Ryan’s achievements at both the collegiate and international levels have established him as a rising star in professional basketball.
Early Life and Background
Ryan Nembhard was born on March 10, 2003, in Aurora, Ontario, Canada. Growing up in the Greater Toronto Area, he developed his basketball skills at a young age in a family that valued athletics. His older brother, Andrew Nembhard, also pursued a professional basketball career, which provided Ryan with early mentorship and competition that helped shape his development as a player.
The family connection to basketball undoubtedly influenced Ryan’s early exposure to the sport. While specific details about his parents and family background remain private, it is clear that the Nembhard household fostered an environment conducive to developing elite basketball talent.
Path to Basketball
Nembhard’s journey to collegiate basketball excellence began at Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, one of the premier high school basketball programs in the United States. At Montverde, he had the opportunity to play alongside several future Division I standouts and NBA players, including Precious Achiuwa, Cade Cunningham, Scottie Barnes, Moses Moody, and Jalen Duren. This competitive environment helped Nembhard develop his skills against top-tier talent on a daily basis.
Following his freshman season, Nembhard made a significant academic decision by opting to reclassify from the class of 2022 to the class of 2021. This move accelerated his timeline and allowed him to pursue collegiate basketball a year earlier than originally planned. During his senior season at Montverde, Nembhard played a pivotal role in leading the team to the 2021 GEICO High School Basketball Nationals championship, defeating Sunrise Christian Academy 62–52 in the championship game. He contributed 12 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals while earning tournament MVP honors.
Regarded as a four-star recruit, Nembhard was ranked as the No. 68 player in his class and the No. 11 point guard according to 247Sports. In June 2020, he made his college commitment, choosing to play for Creighton University over several other prominent programs including Ohio State, Stanford, Florida, and Seton Hall.
Ryan Nembhard Career
Creighton Bluejays (2021–2023)
Ryan Nembhard began his collegiate career with the Creighton Bluejays in the 2021–2022 season. He made an immediate impact, recording a double-double in his college debut against Arkansas–Pine Bluff with 15 points and 10 assists in a 90–77 victory. On November 16, 2021, he delivered a strong performance against Nebraska, scoring 22 points while adding 5 rebounds and 5 assists in a 77–69 win.
However, his freshman season encountered a significant setback when he suffered a wrist injury on February 23, 2022, in an 81–79 victory against St. John’s. The injury required season-ending surgery, cutting his first year short. Despite the injury, Nembhard managed to average 11.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game across the games he played. He started all 27 games in which he appeared and earned Big East Freshman of the Week honors six times during the season. His outstanding freshman campaign was recognized with the Big East Freshman of the Year award.
As a sophomore during the 2022–2023 season, Nembhard continued to develop his game, averaging 12.1 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game. His leadership helped guide Creighton to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, one of the deepest tournament runs in program history. Following the conclusion of his sophomore season, Nembhard entered the transfer portal and ultimately decided to continue his collegiate career at Gonzaga University.
Gonzaga Bulldogs (2023–2025)
Nembhard joined the Gonzaga Bulldogs for his junior season in 2023–2024, immediately establishing himself as a key contributor. He started every game that season and averaged 12.6 points and 6.9 assists per game, showcasing his ability to run an offense effectively at the high-major level.
During his senior season in 2024–2025, Nembhard elevated his game to an even higher level. Coming into the season, he was named to the prestigious Bob Cousy Award watch list, which recognizes the top point guard in college basketball. He averaged 10.5 points, 9.8 assists (leading all of college basketball), and 1.7 steals per game. His exceptional playmaking ability and court vision allowed him to distribute the ball effectively while also contributing scoring when needed.
His senior season culminated with leading Gonzaga to its 22nd all-time West Coast Conference tournament title. Nembhard’s outstanding performances throughout the season earned him recognition as a First-team All-WCC selection for the second consecutive year, and his NCAA assist lead solidified his reputation as one of the premier point guards in college basketball.
Dallas Mavericks (2025–Present)
Despite a successful collegiate career, Ryan Nembhard went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft. However, his talent and collegiate production attracted attention from NBA teams, and he ultimately signed a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks. This type of contract allows him to spend time with both the NBA team and its G League affiliate, the Texas Legends, providing him with valuable professional experience and development opportunities.
On December 1, 2025, Nembhard showcased his scoring ability by recording a career-high of 28 points in a 131–121 victory against the Denver Nuggets. Just two days later, on December 3, he demonstrated his playmaking skills by recording a double-double with 15 points and a career-high 13 assists in a 118–108 win against the Miami Heat. These performances demonstrated his ability to impact games in multiple ways at the professional level.
On March 1, 2026, following the waiving of guard Tyus Jones, the Mavericks utilized the cap space created by the move to sign Nembhard to a standard multi-year contract, reflecting the organization’s confidence in his development and contributions. On April 12, 2026, Nembhard delivered a historic performance, recording 15 points, 9 rebounds, and a career-high 23 assists in a 149–128 victory over the Chicago Bulls. His 23 assists set a rookie record for the most assists in a single game in Mavericks franchise history, surpassing the previous record of 17 assists held by Jason Kidd, who later became the team’s head coach.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ryan Nembhard plays the point guard position with exceptional court vision and passing ability. His strengths lie in his playmaking skills, ability to read defenses, and make quick decisions with the basketball. Standing at 5’11”, he compensates for any height disadvantage with his basketball IQ, speed, and agility. His NCAA assist leader recognition at Gonzaga demonstrated his ability to run an offense effectively and make his teammates better. Nembhard’s competitive nature and work ethic have allowed him to transition successfully from college to professional basketball, where he continues to develop his scoring ability while maintaining his strengths as a facilitator.
Notable Events and Milestones
Nembhard’s career has been marked by several significant milestones. Winning the 2021 GEICO High School Basketball Nationals as a senior at Montverde Academy, including earning MVP honors, established him as a national-level recruit. At the collegiate level, his Big East Freshman of the Year award at Creighton and leading the NCAA in assists during his senior season at Gonzaga represent his most prominent achievements. The signing of his standard multi-year contract with the Mavericks in March 2026 marked a significant step in his professional career, and his record-setting 23-assist game against Chicago Bulls in April 2026 stands as one of his most impressive professional achievements.
Ryan Nembhard Career Wins
Across his high school, college, and professional career, Ryan Nembhard has accumulated an impressive list of accomplishments and victories at various levels of competition.
College Career Highlights
Nembhard’s collegiate career at both Creighton and Gonzaga was filled with success. At Creighton, his freshman year included Big East Freshman of the Year honors and leading the Bluejays to significant victories including wins over Nebraska and Arkansas–Pine Bluff. His sophomore year saw him help guide Creighton to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. At Gonzaga, he led the team to the 2025 West Coast Conference tournament championship while leading the NCAA in assists with an average of 9.8 per game. His individual accolades at Gonzaga include being named to the Bob Cousy Award watch list and earning First-team All-WCC honors in both 2024 and 2025.
Other Wins and Performances
At the international level, Nembhard represented Canada with distinction. During the 2019 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in Brazil, he averaged 14.3 points, 9 assists, and 2 steals per game. His most significant international achievement came at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup in Latvia, where he averaged 15.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game, leading Team Canada to a bronze medal. He scored 21 points in the third-place game against Serbia to secure the medal.
| Competition Level | Notable Achievement | Year |
|---|---|---|
| High School | GEICO High School Basketball Nationals Champion, MVP | 2021 |
| College (Creighton) | Big East Freshman of the Year, Elite Eight Appearance | 2021-2023 |
| College (Gonzaga) | NCAA Assists Leader, 2× First-team All-WCC | 2023-2025 |
| NBA (Dallas Mavericks) | Rookie Franchise Record (23 assists in a game) | 2026 |
| Canada National Team | FIBA Under-19 World Cup Bronze Medalist | 2021 |
Ryan Nembhard Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Ryan Nembhard comes from a family with deep roots in basketball. His older brother, Andrew Nembhard, has carved out his own successful professional basketball career. Andrew Nembhard currently plays for the Indiana Pacers in the NBA, having developed his game through college at Florida and Gonzaga before being selected in the NBA Draft. The Nembhard brothers both attended Gonzaga for portions of their college careers, with Ryan following in his brother’s footsteps by transferring to the Bulldogs program.
Personal Life
While Ryan Nembhard maintains a relatively private personal life, his basketball career remains the primary focus. He has established himself as a professional athlete with the Dallas Mavericks and continues to work on developing his game at the highest level of basketball. As a Canadian player in the NBA, he represents a growing contingent of Canadian talents making an impact in the league. His family support system, particularly his relationship with his older brother Andrew, has likely played a significant role in his development as a player and his navigation of the challenges of professional basketball.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Ryan Nembhard’s transition from college basketball to the professional ranks. After going undrafted, he signed with the Dallas Mavericks and began his NBA career on a two-way contract. Early in his professional tenure, he demonstrated his ability to contribute offensively, recording a career-high 28 points against the Denver Nuggets in early December 2025. His playmaking ability was also on display with a 13-assist performance against the Miami Heat just two days later. These performances suggested that his collegiate production could translate to NBA success despite the significant jump in competition level. The season provided valuable experience for Nembhard as he adjusted to the speed and physicality of professional basketball while working to earn a more permanent role with the Mavericks organization.