Ryan Nembhard’s NBA journey did not begin with applause, a green-room camera shot, or a handshake on draft night. Instead, it began in airport terminals before ultimately leading to the Dallas Mavericks.

In the weeks leading up to the NBA Draft, Nembhard crisscrossed the country in a relentless pursuit of opportunity, working out for 20 of the league’s 30 teams after leading the nation in assists at Gonzaga. Flights blurred together. Hotels became temporary waypoints. Gymnasiums replaced routine.

“I went to the G League combine, then I went to the real (NBA) combine, then I had 20 workouts,” Nembhard said. “You’re flying in every night, you don’t know what time you’re getting to the city, you don’t really know where you are. It’s tough.

“You have four years of college, then you go right into the draft process working out and getting ready for all the workouts and the combines. That’s a tough process, but it’s a process everyone has to go through.”

When the draft ended without his name being called, Dallas moved quickly. The Mavericks brought Nembhard onto their summer league roster and eventually signed him to a two-way contract — a decision that has since reshaped their season.

Over six games as a starter, Nembhard has averaged 14.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 6.8 assists, providing Dallas with the type of steady ball control and offensive organization it had been searching for. At 5-11, tied with San Antonio’s Jordan McLaughlin and Sacramento’s Isaiah Stevens as the shortest players in the NBA, Nembhard has quickly become one of the most trusted guards in the Mavericks’ rotation.

A Steady Hand Takes Control

What stands out most to Nembhard’s teammates is not size or speed, but his feel for the game.

“He knows how to control the game, he knows how to speed up and slow down,” forward P.J. Washington said. “I love his midrange and the way he passes the ball, and I just love his game. I’ve been watching a lot of his highlights. He’s really good.”

Washington said Nembhard’s ability to manage tempo has helped unlock consistency across the lineup.

“I’d say controlling the pace, making sure everybody gets their touches, making sure everybody feels involved, and just finding his (shot) as well,” Washington said. “He knows how to read a defense and take whatever they give us.”

That influence has extended beyond the starting lineup. Even Brandon Williams, who lost his starting point guard spot when Nembhard moved into the role, credited him as a key reason Dallas has won four of its past five games.

“Ryan is nice — I’m not going to lie,” Williams said. “He gets to the rim. People kind of look at his size, but he uses his size to his advantage. He gets by people, he makes plays for others, and everybody on our team loves playing with him.

“Even if he’s not getting the assist, the ball is moving with him on the floor and everybody likes that. We all see it and I think that’s what’s contributed to us winning.”

Jason Kidd Sees Familiar Traits

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said Nembhard’s emergence has been building since training camp, rooted in trust and decision-making rather than volume scoring.

“He’s steady, guys love playing with him, and he’s taking shots that present themselves,” Kidd said. “He’s playing the game at a very high level and playing the game the right way.”

Kidd, a Hall of Fame point guard, said Nembhard’s approach mirrors many of the principles he followed during his own career.

“I can relate to that — looking at what he does,” Kidd said. “But guys have said this since training camp that they enjoy playing with him.

“His calmness, his understanding of the game, his IQ is on display, so I think watching him play is fun … find the open guy and keep it simple. He’s playing the game the right way.”

Built at Home, Refined Over Time

Nembhard credits his foundation to his father, who coached both him and his older brother Andrew growing up.

“I just always try to play the game the right way ever since I was a kid,” Nembhard said. “My dad was my coach growing up and he always instilled in us to play the right way and make the right play.”

Andrew, now in his fourth NBA season with the Indiana Pacers, remains a constant presence.

“We talk all the time, just brotherly stuff, day-to-day stuff,” Nembhard said. “He’s happy for me. We follow each other’s journey and it’s been fun to be able to bounce some different ideas off him.”

Nembhard began his college career at Creighton before transferring to Gonzaga, where he spent two seasons and started every game of his 134-game collegiate career. He averaged 11.7 points and 6.6 assists in college, developing the pass-first mentality that now anchors Dallas’ offense.

Finding Space in the NBA Game

Nembhard said one of the biggest adjustments at the professional level has been learning how to operate with more space.

“Obviously, guys are longer and bigger,” he said. “But there’s a lot more space to get to your spots.”

That spacing has been especially effective in pick-and-roll actions with Anthony Davis.

“Half the time all I’ve got to do is get to (Davis) in the pocket and he’s going to do the rest,” Nembhard said. “I just got to get the ball to him at the right time and he’s going to put it in the rim. He’s a hell of a player.”

Davis said Nembhard’s ability to process quickly has stood out.

“He’s been great for us,” Davis said. “He’s still learning. He’s a rookie. But to have a coach like J-Kidd who’s one of the best point guards to play the game, he’s able to rely on him. It’s a great opportunity and he’s making the most of it.”

What Comes Next

Nembhard’s rise has prompted internal and external conversations about his future. Based on the current roster landscape, creating a roster spot for him to earn a standard NBA contract is a development to monitor, sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com. Unless Dallas reduces its payroll in a salary-dump trade, the earliest the team can convert his two-way deal is Jan. 6 due to salary-cap restrictions.

“He changed their season,” one NBA scout said. “They were desperate for a legit point guard with the mentality to control the game and get others involved. He’s doing it at a high level. They need to get a deal done as soon as possible.”

For Nembhard, the attention is welcome but not distracting.

“I think I’m definitely on the scouting report now, for sure,” he said. “But we’ve got so many good players that I’m sure (the opposing team’s) attention is more on those guys than me.

“It’s been fun to get some wins with the guys. We’ve got a great group, so it’s been fun to get our joy and win some games.”

He has not forgotten the long nights, the luggage, or the polite rejections.

“All of them were kind of saying they like me, but not for them,” Nembhard said. “It is what it is. I’m in the right spot for myself today and this is where I’m happy to be.”

And after a journey defined by motion, Nembhard has finally found stability — by controlling it.

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