The Golden State Warriors’ loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in last month’s NBA postseason semifinals exposed a glaring need: more size to compete in the bruising Western Conference. The Timberwolves, in turn, struggled with their own lack of size against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, highlighting the premium on big men in the West. So, with only the No. 41 pick in the upcoming NBA draft, what are the Warriors doing? Working out one of the smallest players in the draft class—Gonzaga point guard Ryan Nembhard.
At just 5-foot-11, Nembhard is the second-shortest player in this year’s draft class, a curious choice for a team needing to bulk up. But don’t let his stature fool you. The younger brother of Indiana Pacers starter Andrew Nembhard (a 6-foot-5 guard drafted in 2022), Ryan is making waves with his elite playmaking. On Tuesday, he’ll showcase his skills for the Warriors, who are not only seeking frontcourt size but also a reliable backup point guard for Stephen Curry.
Nembhard’s numbers are eye-popping. Last season at Gonzaga, he led the nation with 9.8 assists per game, setting a school record with 243 assists in a single season—an impressive feat for a program that produced NBA point guards like John Stockton, Jalen Suggs, and Dan Dickau. He also averaged 10.5 points, 1.7 steals, and shot 40.4% from three-point range as a senior, showing he’s more than just a passer.
Interesting name to watch for from the Warriors draft workout tomorrow: Ryan Nembhard
Younger brother of Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard averaged 10.5 points, 9.8 assists, 1.7 steals and shot 40.4 from 3 as a senior at Gonzaga
— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) June 2, 2025
As NBC Sports Bay Area’s Dalton Johnson noted on Twitter/X, “Interesting name to watch for from the Warriors draft workout tomorrow: Ryan Nembhard. Younger brother of Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard averaged 10.5 points, 9.8 assists, 1.7 steals and shot 40.4 from 3 as a senior at Gonzaga.”
Despite his gaudy stats, Nembhard’s size makes him a projected late second-round pick, with a chance he could go undrafted. Still, his workout with Golden State could shake up the draft narrative. The Warriors, known for defying convention, might see Nembhard as a diamond in the rough—a playmaker who could thrive in their motion-heavy system. With draft night approaching, all eyes are on whether Golden State will take a gamble on the diminutive guard with outsized talent.