Is this really that surprising?
Deservedly so, Gonzaga’s Ryan Nembhard has been invited to the NBA Draft Combine after a convincing showing in the G-League Combine at Chicago’s Wintrust Arena. This further proves the reason why, for whatever reason the NCAA assists leader this past season (9.8 per game, 344 total), that the lead guard shouldn’t have been underlooked by the masses in the basketball world.
Congrats to @ZagMBB prospect Ryan Nembhard, whose strong play at #GLeagueEliteCamp has earned them a spot in the #NBADraftCombine this week in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/cTsCj9WDir
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) May 12, 2025
“Ryan’s (Nembhard) passing ability was on full display in his two games at the G League Elite Camp. He finished with 9 assists in the first game. Should’ve been 10, they didn’t count one and showed why he led the NCAA in assists this season.” – Libaan Osman of the Toronto Star
Gonzaga’s Ryan Nembhard put on an elite passing display, finishing with 9 assists at Day 1 of the G League Elite Camp.
The Canadian helped lead his team to a 38-point blow out. pic.twitter.com/ciC3T5dBjF
— Libaan Osman (@libaanstar1) May 10, 2025
“On day 2, he also showcased his improved shooting touch during drills. A lot of NBA people are going to be leaving real impressed with Nembhard this week.” – Libaan Osman of the Toronto Star
NBA scouts as well as both assistant and general managers were impressed from a guard who isn’t historically known for being an outside perimeter threat. Under the pressure of all those peering eyes on him and dead silence in the banisters, he was cool and collected.
Ryan Nembhard going through the 3-point star drill at the G League Elite Camp.
He hit 19 out 25 shots for 76%. pic.twitter.com/ifdUgHozZT
— Libaan Osman (@libaanstar1) May 11, 2025
In the final scrimmage at the G-League Combine on Sunday, the Canadian hit a clutch three late to lead his team to a 101-98 win. He finished with 11 points, six assists, and two rebounds.
It’s not all five-on-five situations that the next level is looking at through this process. Just look at how Nembhard finished in the drills:
15-25 (60%) on spot-up shooting, tied for 11th
24-30 (80%) on shooting off the dribble, tied for 2nd
19-25 (76%) on three-point star, ranked 2nd
8-10 (80%) on free throws, tied for 11th
2025 G League Elite shooting drills results: Thierry Darlan, Arthur Kaluma, Ryan Nembhard, Mackenzie Mgbako, Wade Taylor IV, Lachlan Olbrich are a few of the names who had a good shooting performance pic.twitter.com/r7uRegtdR5
— Cyro Asseo (@CyroAsseo) May 11, 2025
Canadian Ryan Nembhard shooting off the dribble at the G League Elite Camp.
He hit 24 out of 30, shooting 80%. pic.twitter.com/X7masMeoIT
— Libaan Osman (@libaanstar1) May 11, 2025
After proving once again that Nembhard can orchestrate an offense, he moves one step closer to hearing his name called. In 134 starts with the Creighton Bluejays and Zags, Nembhard averaged 11.7 points on a shooting split of 43.2 field goal percentage, 40.4 three-point percentage, 77.0 free throw percentage. He also contributed 3.5 rebounds and 1.7 steals throughout his memorable collegiate career.
SMOOTH jumper from Ryan Nembhard @ZagMBB #GLeagueEliteCamp pic.twitter.com/Z35gjejrNl
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) May 10, 2025
With 882 total career assists which ranks him at No. 21 on the all-time college basketball list, why not take a chance in the late second round? He’s back to work tomorrow in Chicago as the rest of the combine runs through May 18th.
The 2025 NBA Draft will take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on June 25th.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on Twitter @a_cravalho