RJ Nembhard
American basketball player
Ruben R. "RJ " Nembhard Jr. (born March 22, 1999) is an American professional basketball player for the Capital City Go-Go of the NBA G League . He played college basketball for the TCU Horned Frogs .
Early life and high school career
Nembhard grew up playing football and started playing basketball at age 10.[1] He attended Keller High School in Keller, Texas . Nembhard averaged 21 points as a junior, earning District 5-6A MVP honors. In his senior season, he averaged 25.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. Nembhard was named Star-Telegram Super Team Player of the Year and District 3-6A MVP.[2] A four-star recruit , he committed to playing college basketball for TCU over offers from Texas , Oklahoma , Kansas State and Baylor .[3]
College career
Nembhard redshirted his first season at TCU after receiving limited playing time through six games and suffering a knee injury.[4] As a freshman, he came off the bench, averaging 4.4 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.[5] On January 4, 2020, he scored a career-high 31 points in an 81–79 overtime win over Iowa State .[6] As a sophomore, Nembhard averaged 12.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.[7] As a junior, he averaged 15.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and four assists per game, earning Third Team All-Big 12 honors. On March 29, 2021, Nembhard declared for the 2021 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility.[8] He later decided to remain in the draft.
Professional career
Cleveland Cavaliers (2021–2022)
After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft , Nembhard joined the Miami Heat for the 2021 NBA Summer League .[9] On September 27, 2021, he signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers .[10] On October 16, his deal was converted to a two-way contract with the Cleveland Charge of the NBA G League .[11] On March 31, 2022, he signed a standard contract with the Cavaliers.[12] On April 7, he was waived by the Cavaliers[13] and three days later, he signed another two-way contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers .[14]
Motor City Cruise (2022)
On November 9, 2022, the Motor City Cruise announced via their Twitter account that they had acquired Nembhard.[15]
UNAHOTELS Reggio Emilia (2022–2023)
On December 12, 2022, Nembhard signed with UNAHOTELS Reggio Emilia of the Lega Basket Serie A .[16]
Fos Provence Basket (2023)
On January 19, 2023, Nembhard signed with Fos Provence Basket of the LNB Pro A .[17]
Filou Oostende (2023)
On September 9, 2023, Nembhard signed with Filou Oostende of the BNXT League ,[18] but was released on November 19.[19]
Capital City Go-Go (2024–present)
On March 22, 2024, Nembhard joined the Capital City Go-Go .[20]
Career statistics
NBA
College
Personal life
Son of Ruben & Terri Nembhard. Nembhard's father, Ruben , played one season in the NBA/15 seasons overseas and works as a trainer and skills development coach.[21] His grandfather, Joe Beauchamp played ten seasons as a defensive back with the San Diego Chargers and his sister, Jayden, plays volleyball for Long Beach State .[22]
References
^ Post, Colin (February 28, 2020). "Mamba Mentality: Nembhard looks to take game, TCU to new heights as he mimics late idol" . TCU 360 . Retrieved May 12, 2021 .
^ Gosset, Brian (March 24, 2017). "Keller star leads Indians to state, adds Star-Telegram honor" . Fort Worth Star-Telegram . Retrieved May 12, 2021 .
^ Riddle, Greg (June 30, 2016). "Keller 4-star recruit R.J. Nembhard commits to TCU for basketball" . The Dallas Morning News . Retrieved May 12, 2021 .
^ Mendez, Carlos (December 19, 2017). "TCU freshman Nembhard, one of Frogs' top signees, likely to redshirt" . Fort Worth Star-Telegram . Retrieved May 12, 2021 .
^ Davison, Drew (November 19, 2019). "RJ Nembhard scored at will for Keller. Now he wants to be an all-around threat for TCU" . Fort Worth Star-Telegram . Retrieved May 12, 2021 .
^ Clark, Jeremy (January 4, 2020). "TCU defeats Iowa State 81-79 behind Nembhard's 31 points" . 247Sports . Retrieved May 12, 2021 .
^ Davison, Drew (November 3, 2020). "Who's TCU's point guard this season? Keller product RJ Nembhard making strong case" . Fort Worth Star-Telegram . Retrieved May 12, 2021 .
^ Davison, Drew (March 29, 2021). "RJ Nembhard declares for the NBA Draft, but he could still return to TCU" . Fort Worth Star-Telegram . Retrieved May 12, 2021 .
^ Davison, Drew (July 30, 2021). "TCU basketball's RJ Nembhard lands with Miami Heat" . Fort Worth Star-Telegram . Retrieved September 26, 2021 .
^ "Cavaliers Add Four to Training Camp Roster" . NBA.com . September 27, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021 .
^ "Cavaliers Convert the Contracts of Tacko Fall and RJ Nembhard into Two-way Contracts" . NBA.com . October 16, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2021 .
^ "Cavaliers Convert RJ Nembhard to Standard NBA Contract and Sign Moses Brown to Two-Way Contract" . NBA.com . March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022 .
^ "Cavaliers Waive RJ Nembhard" . NBA.com . April 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022 .
^ "Cavaliers Convert Moses Brown to Standard NBA Contract and Sign RJ Nembhard to a Two-Way Contract" . NBA.com . April 10, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2022 .
^ Motor City Cruise [@motorcitycruise] (November 9, 2022). "OFFICIAL - We have acquired free agent guard @RubeNembhard. Welcome to the Motor City, RJ!" (Tweet ). Retrieved November 9, 2022 – via Twitter .
^ "Pallacanestro Reggiana signs Ruben "RJ" Nembhard Jr" . Sportando. December 12, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2022 .
^ "RJ Nembhard nouvelle recrue de Fos Provence" . basketactu.com (in French). January 19, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023 .
^ Askounis, Johnny (September 9, 2023). "Oostende picks up RJ Nembhard to replace Patrick McCaw" . EuroHoops.net . Retrieved March 23, 2024 .
^ Skerletic, Dario (September 9, 2023). "Telenet BC Oostende signs Jean Salumu and releases RJ Nembhard" . Sportando.basketball . Retrieved March 23, 2024 .
^ "2023-2024 Capital City Go-Go Transaction History" . RealGM.com . Retrieved March 23, 2024 .
^ Podell, Garrett (January 5, 2021). "Nembhard looks to lead Horned Frogs through 2021 gauntlet" . Frogs O' War . Retrieved May 12, 2021 .
^ Siegel, Austin (October 8, 2020). "SE: Consistent, Ready and Reliable – Jayden Nembhard Shines for K-State Volleyball" . Kansas State University Athletics . Retrieved May 12, 2021 .
External links