The Dallas Mavericks have signed undrafted guard Ryan Nembhard to a two-way contract after a strong start to the NBA Summer League. In his first three games, he has been a calm and reliable presence for the team, averaging 11.3 points and 6.7 assists, showing fans why the team took a chance on him.
👨👦 A Family of Playmakers
Ryan is following in the footsteps of his older brother, Andrew Nembhard, a key player for the Indiana Pacers. Andrew has become an important part of the Pacers team that recently competed in the NBA Finals. Ryan even attended Game 7 to support his brother, showing the strong bond they share. Ryan says he models his game after Andrew, learning from his brother’s success in the league.
💪 Proving Doubters Wrong
At 5-foot-11, Ryan has faced questions about his height throughout his career. However, he is used to it and focuses on his performance on the court. His former high school coach, Kevin Boyle, has always been a strong believer in his talent, once calling him the “best guy in the gym” even on a court full of future NBA stars. Coach Boyle told NBA teams not to overlook Ryan, just as he had done with Andrew a few years earlier.
🧠 Skill Over Size
What Ryan lacks in height, he makes up for with basketball intelligence. During his senior year at Gonzaga, he led the entire nation in assists and set a conference record for assists in a season. He is known for making smart decisions and avoiding risky plays, with an excellent assist-to-turnover ratio. His Summer League performance has already shown this skill, with one game where he scored 21 points and had 5 assists.
✍️ Dallas’s New Guard
Nembhard’s two-way contract means he will split his time between the Mavericks and their G League affiliate, giving him a chance to develop. With Kyrie Irving expected to miss much of the upcoming season due to injury, there may be opportunities for other guards to step up. The Mavericks have signed D’Angelo Russell as the new starting point guard, and behind him, Nembhard will be competing for playing time, hoping to prove he belongs in the NBA.
