The Dallas Mavericks have made a swift move to bolster their backcourt depth by signing Ryan Nembhard to a two-way contract following the 2025 NBA Draft. The 6-foot, 180-pound point guard, who went undrafted, quickly found a home with the Mavericks less than 15 minutes after the draft concluded on June 26, 2025. This signing comes as the Mavericks prepare for a challenging 2025-26 season without their star guard Kyrie Irving, who is expected to miss most of the campaign due to a torn ACL sustained in March.
Nembhard’s journey to the NBA has been marked by impressive collegiate achievements and a reputation as one of the nation’s top facilitators. He split his college career between Creighton and Gonzaga, where he developed into a dynamic playmaker. At Creighton, he earned Big East Freshman of the Year honors in 2021 and helped lead the Blue Jays to the Elite Eight in 2023. He then transferred to Gonzaga for his final two years, where he truly shined.
In the 2024-25 season, Nembhard shattered the West Coast Conference (WCC) record for assists in a single season with 344, a mark that ranks as the fifth most assists by a men's player in NCAA history. He averaged a nation-leading 9.8 assists per game while also contributing 10.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game. His shooting splits were impressive, boasting 44.6 percent from the field and 40.4 percent from beyond the arc. Across 134 collegiate starts, Nembhard averaged 11.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.7 steals, with a career total of 882 assists placing him 21st on the all-time college basketball list.
Despite these stellar numbers, concerns about Nembhard’s size likely contributed to him going undrafted. Standing at 6 feet and weighing 180 pounds, some scouts questioned whether he could translate his game to the NBA level physically. Nonetheless, his basketball IQ, vision, and unselfish play have earned him praise from analysts and general managers alike. One scout described him as "a dream teammate for anyone to be playing alongside due to his tremendous feel for the game, vision, and overall unselfishness." This sentiment underscores the potential value he brings to the Mavericks, especially as they navigate the absence of Irving.
The Mavericks’ roster situation at point guard is thin, with Brandon Williams as the only other primary ball-handler currently on the team. This scarcity, coupled with Irving’s injury, creates a window of opportunity for Nembhard to earn meaningful minutes, particularly in the first half of the season. Kyrie Irving, a nine-time NBA All-Star, is expected to return around January or February 2026, which means Nembhard could play a pivotal role during the early months.
In addition to his on-court skills, Nembhard’s contract details reflect his undrafted status. His two-way deal is non-guaranteed and allows him to play up to 50 games with the Mavericks, while spending the remainder of the season developing with the Texas Legends, Dallas’ G League affiliate based in Frisco. The salary for this contract is roughly half the rookie minimum, around $300,000, compared to the average rookie minimum of just under $600,000 for the 2024-25 season.
Nembhard’s signing also connects him with a familiar face in Dallas: Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft and the consensus national college player of the year for 2024-25. Both players share a history playing under coach Kevin Boyle at Montverde Academy in Florida, albeit four years apart. This connection could foster chemistry as they prepare to showcase their talents together at the NBA Summer League, which kicks off on July 10, 2025, with the Mavericks facing off against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Thomas & Mack Center on UNLV’s campus.
The Mavericks’ move to sign Nembhard and fellow two-way signee Miles Kelly, a key player in Auburn’s recent Final Four run, highlights the team’s strategy to deepen their roster amid injury setbacks. Kelly, who spent three years at Georgia Tech before transferring to Auburn, joins Nembhard and Flagg as promising young talents aiming to make an impact.
Ryan Nembhard’s rise to the NBA is notable not only for his individual accomplishments but also for his family ties. He joins his older brother Andrew Nembhard, a guard for the Indiana Pacers, continuing a family tradition in professional basketball. This adds an intriguing storyline as the younger Nembhard looks to carve out his own niche in the league.
Gonzaga fans had hoped Nembhard would extend the school’s impressive streak of having at least one player drafted in four consecutive years, a run that now pauses with no Zags selected in the 2025 draft. However, Nembhard’s quick signing as an undrafted free agent keeps the Bulldogs represented at the NBA level. Other Gonzaga alumni, like Ben Gregg, have also secured Summer League invitations, indicating the program’s continued pipeline to the pros.
For the Mavericks, the upcoming season will be a test of resilience and depth. The absence of Kyrie Irving looms large, but the addition of players like Nembhard offers hope for a steady hand at the point guard position. His ability to distribute the ball and run an offense could prove invaluable as Dallas looks to remain competitive in a tough Western Conference.
As the NBA Summer League approaches, all eyes will be on Nembhard and his teammates to see how they gel on the court. The Mavericks’ fans will be eager to witness the synergy between the young guards and their new stars, setting the stage for an intriguing developmental year. With Nembhard’s proven playmaking skills and the opportunity to step into a significant role early, the Dallas Mavericks may have found a hidden gem to help navigate a challenging season ahead.
