Are Andrew Nembhard & Ryan Nembhard Related? Details On 24YO Pacers Sensation’s Family, Education, and More

When Andrew Nembhard was selected as the 31st overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, no one expected his rookie contract to be the largest in NBA history ever for a second-round pick. Nembhard signed a four-year $8.6 million contract with the Indiana Pacers. And it wasn’t a mistake! Not in the least. In fact, the Pacers have come to trust the former Gonzaga Bulldogs standout so much that he was tasked with guarding the most elite scorers of the league in both rounds of the playoff series.

If Damian Lillard received the full attention of the second-year pro in the first round, he was a pest for Jalen Brunson in the second. Then again, those who have been following the 24-year-old since his Canadian hooping days wouldn’t be too shocked. Chances are that the Nembhard family name is quite popular among Canadian fans and those who follow Canadian basketball, too.

The crucial role of Andrew Nembhard’s parents in his basketball development

Born to a basketball-loving father and coach, Claude Nembhard never forced his son into the sport. Nonetheless, Andrew found his calling in basketball early on. And when his little brother, Ryan Nembhard, was born three years later, he promptly followed in his brother’s footsteps. Yes, we are talking about the Zags’ 6’0 point guard making all the noise!

In fact, Creighton Bluejays’ head coach, Greg McDermott, described the younger Nembhard as “the little guy making all the right decisions.” In his 14th year with the Bluejays now, McDermott was at the Peach Jam scouting for potential talent when his sharp eyes saw Ryan. He was in his junior year with the Montverde Academy then.

Claude and his wife, Mary Nembhard, devoted their lives to the future of their children. So do all parents, you might say. However, those parents with extraordinarily talented kids have to go the extra mile and then some to ensure these exceptional children make full use of their potential. If you remember, the latest show by Sonya Curry and Lucille O’Neal, Raising Fame, talks exclusively of such experiences.

The Nembhard couple weren’t any different. When practices for the two boys were at different places, Claude and Mary would split up to ensure Andrew and Ryan arrived on time. To understand the full extent of the sacrifices required, RJ Barrett, the Raptors’ star forward’s father Rowan’s words, might help. “When you do that, it means you get absolutely no vacation. It means every single weekend, you’re packing up the van and going somewhere. They really gave their lives to their kids,” he spoke with admiration.

Seeing as where the family of four lived (Suburban Aurora) didn’t exactly provide the necessities for the development of kids in high-level basketball, it meant driving long distances to support them. At first, it was in Canada and now they have to fly to America to do so. Fellow Canadian and a basketball dad, the senior Barrett knew the Nembhard family pretty well. Andrew and RJ share a close relationship, too, bonding over junior academies, youth teams, and eventually, Montverde.

The two had to part ways when they came to the league, but imagine the damage those two could do if they were on the same team! The pair were key to the GEICO High School Nationals Tournament in 2018. Playing against his future Raptors teammate, Scottie Barnes of the NSU University School, Barrett led with 25 points while Andrew Nembhard’s game-high 13 assists helped him close the deal.

Ryan appreciates brother Andrew Nembhard’s “even-keeled” behavior

When the older Nembhard charted his course, it unwittingly created a path that his younger brother would have to follow, right? Nope! It would seem like it, but nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, his love for basketball was thanks to his brother and father’s love for the sport. Yes, he woke up to the sound of workouts in the morning, listened to the games in the evening, and heard Andrew’s day at the court or tips and advice from their father at dinner.

Nevertheless, his interest in basketball happened as organically as his brother’s. “He gave me something to look at before I got involved in all of this,” Ryan recounted. Of course, when you have a brilliant brother who excelled everywhere he went, it’s bound to be an arduous journey. It’s kind of like Bronny James, but somewhat muted. But his freshman season at Creighton was enough to know that the younger Nembhard would weave a story of his own.

A huge part of it all was thanks to Andrew. “I could talk to him about pretty much anything because he’s had so many similar experiences,” Ryan said. But that also meant having hard conversations and getting rid of traits that did more harm than good. “I think when I was younger, I wasn’t always as calm and collected. But I think I’ve taken that from my brother. Emotions go up and down, but I always try to stay even-keel with my teammates.” 

Pretty sure both his brother and parents can corroborate the first part of his statement. While Andrew was the darling boy who did everything he was told, Ryan “had a little bit more of a mouth,” per his admittance. He easily dismisses it with a “typical second kid” remark. Any second-born readers here? Think you can relate? Or is he just bluffing?

Clearly, the Nembhards share a close-knit bond. Both Andrew and Ryan are well on their way to becoming superstars. Given their family history, it would be easy to dub them the ultimate basketball family. The next royal family, even. Claude Nembhard, though, doesn’t think so. “You could say, ‘basketball family,’ but we’re just a family. Wherever our kids go, we’re going to be with them,” he had said once.

It’s easy to see where the humble, true to their roots, and locked-in attitude the Nembhard boys’ embody comes from.