Andrew Nembhard came painfully close to NBA glory, watching his Indiana Pacers fall to the Oklahoma City Thunder in seven grueling games at the 2025 NBA Finals. Now he’s got a front-row seat to watch his younger brother Ryan chase the same dream, starting from the bottom just like he did.
The family connection runs deep. Nembhard himself wasn’t a lottery pick when he entered the league. The 25-year-old Canadian guard was selected 31st overall by the Pacers in the second round of the 2022 NBA draft, proving that talent can emerge from anywhere.
Why Did Andrew Nembhard’s Brotherly Roast Go Viral?
After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA draft, Ryan Nembhard signed a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks. His Summer League debut came against the Lakers, where he played alongside 2025 No. 1 draft pick Cooper Flagg.
The younger Nembhard made his mark immediately. He led Dallas in scoring with 21 points as the Mavericks edged out a tight 87-85 victory over Los Angeles. Andrew was there in person at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, supporting his brother from the stands.
During the second quarter, Andrew was interviewed by TSN’s Katie George, who asked whether his brother held any advantages over him in basketball.
“No,” Andrew replied with a wry smile. “Still working on. He’s young, he’s working.” The blunt honesty from the Pacers guard immediately caught fire on social media.
Andrew Nembhard showing out in support of his brother Ryan during his first Summer League game. 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/6CszUPK0NV
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 11, 2025
Andrew’s response makes perfect sense when you look at the numbers. While both brothers share similar playmaking abilities, the older Nembhard has advantages in precise size and scoring efficiency.
However, Andrew wasn’t all tough love during the interview. When George asked what the Mavericks were getting in Ryan, his tone shifted completely.
“I think a winner,” Andrew said. “A guy who wants to compete. Doing whatever the team needs. Play on and off the ball. The guy can [be a] playmaker and make others around him better.”
What Challenges Does Ryan Nembhard Face in the NBA?
The size difference between the brothers tells the story of Ryan’s uphill battle. Andrew stands 6-foot-4, while Ryan measures just 6 feet tall. In today’s NBA, teams consistently favor bigger wings and guards, which has devalued traditional pass-first guards like Ryan.
Smaller guards like Jose Alvarado and Fred VanVleet have succeeded in the league through sheer tenacity and grit. However, Ryan faces the same challenge they did: proving he has the physicality to compete against much larger players.
These size concerns likely contributed to Ryan’s undrafting, despite many mock drafts projecting him as a late second-round selection.
Still, the opportunity with Dallas couldn’t have come at a better time. With Kyrie Irving sidelined by injury, the Mavericks need guard depth. Despite his size limitations, Ryan brings floor general skills that could fit perfectly in their system.
His elite passing ability makes him an ideal complement to Dallas’s three-point shooters, such as P.J. Washington and Klay Thompson. With Irving not expected to return until early 2026, Ryan will have extended opportunities to prove he belongs on an NBA roster.
Ryan is unsure whether he can follow the path of undrafted success stories like VanVleet, who went from undrafted rookie to NBA champion. For now, his brother’s playful skepticism and genuine support are pushing him forward.
