Nembhard declared for the 2019 NBA draft, but ultimately chose to return to the Gators for his sophomore season.[4][5] As a sophomore, Nembhard averaged 11.2 points, 5.6 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game and led the SEC with a 2.2 assist-to-turnover ratio.[6] Following the season he declared for the 2020 NBA draft but hired an NCAA-certified agent, allowing him the option to return to Florida.[7][8] On May 30, 2020, Nembhard withdrew from the draft and entered the NCAA transfer portal.[9]
On June 23, 2020, Nembhard announced that he would transfer to Gonzaga. He chose the Bulldogs over offers from Duke, USC, Memphis, Georgetown and Stanford.[10] He was granted a waiver for immediate eligibility on November 24.[11]
In his first Gonzaga season, he primarily came off the bench (though he played more minutes per game than two Bulldogs starters), averaging 9.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game[12] for a team that entered its conference tournament unbeaten. Nembhard was named the West Coast Conference's inaugural Sixth Man of the Year, and was also named to the all-conference second team.[13] He averaged 11.8 points, 5.8 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game as a senior. Nembhard was named to the First Team All-WCC.[14] On April 21, 2022, Nembhard declared for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.[15]
Professional career
Indiana Pacers (2022–present)
Nembhard was selected with the 31st overall pick by the Indiana Pacers. Nembhard joined the Pacers' 2022 NBA Summer League roster.[16] In his Summer League debut, Nembhard scored five points, five rebounds, and five assists in a 96–84 win over the Charlotte Hornets.[17] On July 22, 2022, Nembhard signed a four–year, $8.6M rookie contract with the Pacers, the largest rookie contract ever given to a second-rounder.[18][19] On November 28, Nembhard scored a buzzer-beating, game-winning three-pointer in a 116–115 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.[20] On December 5, with Tyrese Haliburton injured, Nembhard scored a career-high 31 points, 13 assists, 8 rebounds, and 5 three-pointers in a win over the Golden State Warriors.[21]
On January 31, 2023, Nembhard was named a 2023 NBA Rising Star alongside standout rookie teammate Bennedict Mathurin.[22] Nembhard recorded back–to–back 20–point games with 24 points on March 16 against the Milwaukee Bucks, and 22 points on 9–14 shooting on March 18 against the Philadelphia 76ers.[23][24] On March 22, in a win against the Toronto Raptors, Nembhard recorded another double–double with 25 points and 10 assists on 11–17 shooting.[25] On March 28, as a starter against the Milwaukee Bucks, Nembhard recorded a double–double with 15 points and a career–high 15 assists.[26]
On May 10, 2024, in a second-round game of the playoffs against the New York Knicks, Nembhard hit a game winning three–pointer with 16 seconds on the clock to help the Pacers bring the series back to 2–1. The three was the longest of his career up to that point.
Nembhard is of Jamaican descent through his father, Claude. His mother, Mary, is a native Canadian. He has a younger brother, Ryan, who currently plays basketball at Gonzaga.[30]
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