URGENT NEWS: The 2nd Nembhard Has Dropped

As not only a college basketball fan but of course a well-known Gonzaga sicko amongst my readers, this week I am lovin' the emergence of Ryan Nembhard for the Dallas Mavericks with back-to-back double-doubles, averaging 21.5 ppg, 11.5 ast, and the most jaw-dropping of it all… only ONE turnover! As I scroll through social media I can't help but feel like the meme of the kid sipping the coffee looking proud AF. Please tell me y'all know this!

Gonzaga fans have been screaming about the Nembhard's for years, and the NBA got to know Andrew Nembhard real well the past few seasons, including memorable moment after memorable moment in the playoffs helping the Pacers win the Eastern Conference. As Zags lovers, all we are ever told is “oh they just looked good cause they played WCC teams all year”… blah blah blah. But now all of a sudden you blink and the NBA is full of Bulldogs excelling in the league. Even Miami Heat HC Erik Spoelstra can't do it anymore!

The Nembhard's though have been the ones you just need to know about. Andrew held the league on notice over the past few seasons, until now the 2nd Nembhard dropped. Ryan, going undrafted in the summer, played his way into a 2-way contract for the Dallas Mavericks. Through the first month-plus of the season he had not gotten an extended run until this past week or so, and the league looks stunned as I just sit back with the most “I told you so” grin ever on my face.

Mainly knocked for his size compared to Andrew (6'3") in the draft process this past summer, Ryan gained traction towards the NBA when he transferred to Gonzaga then dominated as the top PG for the next two years. All of the success in Spokane & still most had him very low on draft boards being only 5'11. After a 4:1 assist-to-turnover ratio in college, he has continued this trend into the NBA.

We must continue onto the next step, which is to sustain this. His ability to score & pass is a lethal combo, and you then add in the generational rookie playing with him, Cooper Flagg, and this could be the beginning of a 2-Nembhard NBA for the next decade ahead. Though the biggest point here… With the events of this past week I have to say, as a Zags man through & through, I am gleaming as the 2nd Nembhard has finally dropped for the league to enjoy.