He went undrafted, and he's barely six feet tall. But Ryan Nembhard is already making the Lakers, and most of the NBA, look foolish.
The Ryan Nembhard transfer from Gonzaga to the NBA was supposed to be quiet. Overshadowed by the likes of Cooper Flagg and Bronny James during Summer League's opening night, the Dallas Mavericks rookie instead let his game do the talking. Nembhard posted 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting — including the game-winning three-pointer — alongside five rebounds and a steal to seal an 87–85 win over the Lakers.
For a player most teams passed on just weeks ago, it was a statement performance. And one that might signal the start of something far more serious in Dallas.
Undrafted but Unbothered
The Ryan Nembhard NBA Draft story wasn't supposed to end like this. Projected by many to be a second-round pick after averaging 10.5 points and a nation-leading 9.8 assists at Gonzaga, Nembhard went undrafted in 2025. Concerns about his size (6'0") and long-term ceiling kept teams hesitant.
But that didn't stop the Mavericks. As detailed by The Smoking Cuban, Dallas quickly inked Nembhard to a two-way deal just after the draft. They saw what others didn't: a high-IQ floor general with elite pick-and-roll instincts, a vastly improved jumper, and the unteachable ability to read second and third layers of a defence.
@dallasmavs It’s in his genes 🧬 #dallasmavericks #ryannembhard #nba #basketball
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And it's not just the fans buying in. Summer League coach Josh Broghamer called him 'incredible', noting that Nembhard's command of the game already stood out during practices alongside veterans like P.J. Washington and Jaden Hardy.
The Nembhard Brothers' Blueprint
If the name sounds familiar, it should. Ryan is the younger brother of Andrew Nembhard, the Indiana Pacers' rising two-way star. Just like his older sibling, Ryan is proving that undrafted doesn't mean unready.
According to Sporting News, Ryan's game mirrors Andrew's. He's steady, unselfish, defensive-minded; Ryan just has a bit more flair off the dribble. He's also showing early chemistry with Dallas' new No. 1 pick, Cooper Flagg, who called him an 'incredible passer' after their first outing together.
With Kyrie Irving recovering from an ACL injury, the Mavs needed a backup point guard who could run the offence without losing control. They signed D'Angelo Russell and Dante Exum for veteran coverage with this in mind, but if Nembhard keeps this up, he may leapfrog them in the pecking order faster than expected.
A Missed Opportunity for the Lakers
Nembhard was a missed opportunity for other teams, specifically LA. The Lakers, who desperately need backcourt depth behind an aging LeBron and an underperforming Gabe Vincent, had a shot. Nembhard was available. As Lake Show Life points out, they were one of several teams that brought in undrafted talent, but somehow left Nembhard untouched.
Now, he's wearing a Mavericks jersey and lighting up their Summer League squad. And with Dallas set to compete for a playoff spot in a tight Western Conference, every ounce of his early production could end up tipping the balance.
There's no guarantee that Ryan Nembhard's NBA success currently will carry over into the regular season. But right now, Dallas doesn't need guarantees. They just need hope. And Nembhard is giving them that in spades.
