Following their loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in last month’s NBA postseason semifinals, the Golden State Warriors faced a glaring issue: a lack of size to compete in the rugged Western Conference. The Timberwolves, in turn, struggled with size against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference finals, highlighting the premium on big men in the West. Yet, with only the No. 41 overall pick in the upcoming NBA draft, the Warriors are exploring all options—not just for frontcourt depth but also for a reliable backup point guard to complement Stephen Curry.
Enter Ryan Nembhard, a 5-foot-11 Gonzaga point guard who worked out with the Warriors on Tuesday. Despite being the second-shortest player in this draft class, Nembhard brings an intriguing skill set that could make him a dark horse in Golden State’s draft plans. The younger brother of Indiana Pacers starter Andrew Nembhard (a 6-foot-5 guard drafted 31st overall in 2022), Ryan is hoping to follow in his sibling’s NBA footsteps, though his smaller stature presents a challenge.
What Nembhard lacks in height, he more than makes up for with elite playmaking. Last season, he led the nation with 9.8 assists per game, setting a Gonzaga record with 243 assists in a single season—a remarkable feat at a program that produced NBA point guards like John Stockton, Jalen Suggs, and Dan Dickau. Nembhard also averaged 10.5 points, 1.7 steals, and shot 40.4% from three-point range as a senior, showcasing his ability to contribute across the board.
NBC Sports Bay Area’s Dalton Johnson highlighted Nembhard’s workout with the Warriors, noting 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.”
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
Projected as a late second-round pick or potentially undrafted, Nembhard’s size may deter some teams, but his vision, passing, and shooting touch could make him a steal for a Warriors squad looking to bolster its backcourt depth. While Golden State’s primary need may be size, their interest in Nembhard suggests they’re open to adding a high-IQ floor general who can keep their offense humming when Curry rests.
Could Nembhard’s workout signal a draft shakeup for the Warriors? With their limited draft capital, they’ll need to be strategic, but Nembhard’s record-breaking college performance makes him a name to watch as the draft approaches.