Andrew Nembhard

Andrew William Nembhard stands tall as an outstanding basketball talent born on January 16, 2000. As a Canadian, he has taken his skills beyond the borders of his country, spreading his name far and wide in the exhilarating world of professional basketball. Presently, Nembhard serves as a pro basketball player for the Indiana Pacers, an accomplished team part of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

In the earlier stages of his basketball career, Nembhard’s college life was steeped in admirable talent and successes. His pursuit of the sport was split between two prolific establishments, the Florida Gators and the Gonzaga Bulldogs. He left his initial home, the Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, to join the University of Florida.

As a freshman representing the Gators, Nembhard’s synergy with his team was undefiable. From scoring with precision to being an invaluable player in every game, he registered a commendable record. He ended his freshman season with the fourth-highest freshman assist total in the history of the school. His ability to balance scoring and defensive plays was proven with an average of 8.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists. He finished fifth in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) concerning the assist-turnover ratio. Recognizing his significant contributions, the conference named Nembhard to the all-Freshman team. This welcoming acknowledgment was swiftly followed by Nembhard’s outstanding performance in scoring a game-winning buzzer-beater against Louisiana State University (LSU) during the SEC tournament in 2019.

Despite declaring for the 2019 NBA draft, Nembhard made a surprising decision and returned to the Gators for his sophomore season. As he progressed in his collegiate career, his contributions and average point numbers rose to 11.2 points, 5.6 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game. His leading SEC with a 2.2 assist-to-turnover ratio earned him recognition. Following this triumphant season, he declared once again for the 2020 NBA draft. Nembhard decided to hire an NCAA-certified agent, allowing him the flexibility of possibly returning to Florida.

However, on May 30, 2020, Nembhard decided to withdraw from the NBA draft. Instead, he entered the NCAA transfer portal, paving his way towards a different future in the Gonzaga Bulldogs. He publicly announced his transfer on June 23, 2020, choosing Gonzaga over offers from prominent universities like Duke, USC, Memphis, Georgetown, and Stanford. This transition proved beneficial when he received a waiver for immediate eligibility on November 24, 2020.

During his first season with Gonzaga, even though he was primarily a bench player, he averaged 9.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. The team entered its conference tournament undefeated, marking themselves as formidable contenders. In recognition of his contributions, Nembhard was appointed as the West Coast Conference’s inaugural Sixth Man of the Year and was named to the all-conference second team. By his senior year, Nembhard’s impressive basketball stats continued to develop. He averaged 11.8 points, 5.8 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, earning a spot on the First Team All-WCC.

Having dedicated his college years towards honing his skills, Nembhard was ready to step into the professional league. On April 21, 2022, forgoing his remaining college eligibility, he declared for the NBA draft. His selection as the 31st overall pick by the Indiana Pacers indented his name in the history of celebrated basketball figures. This remarkable achievement was followed by a significant event as Nembhard joined the Pacers’ NBA Summer League roster in 2022. He made his Summer League debut by scoring five points, five rebounds, and five assists in a 96–84 win over the Charlotte Hornets.

The Pacers recognized Nembhard’s outstanding potential and skill set by offering him a four-year, $8.6M rookie contract on July 22, 2022, making it the most significant rookie contract for a second-rounder. Nembhard continued showing his talent and basketball prowess within the games that followed. Notably, on November 28, he made a game-winning, buzzer-beating three-pointer in a 116–115 win against the Los Angeles Lakers. A few days later, (December 5) he scored his career-high with 31 points, 13 assists, eight rebounds, and five three-pointers against the Golden State Warriors, proving himself an undeniably valuable player for the Pacers.

Nembhard’s rise to fame was further cemented when he was declared a 2023 NBA Rising Star on January 31, 2023, alongside his notable rookie teammate Bennedict Mathurin. He continued his successful streak with back-to-back 20-point games against Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers in March 2023. Moreover, in another match against the Toronto Raptors, he achieved a double-double with 25 points and 10 assists.

Beyond his professional career, Nembhard continues to represent his home country. He wore the Canadian colors proud in FIBA competitions games at U-16, U-17, and U-18 levels. In 2019, he joined the senior national team for the FIBA World Cup.

Off the court, Nembhard is the proud son of Mary and Claude Nembhard. His proud legacy continues in his family as his younger brother Ryan also plays basketball for Gonzaga. As a professional player, a national representative, and a loved family member, Andrew Nembhard continues to make his mark in the world of professional basketball.