Ryan Nenbird makes issues occur. For Gonzaga. For his teammates. For a document e book.
As one of many prime playmakers for faculty males’s basketball within the US, the Bulldogs’ senior level guard led the nation with assists, controlling the tempo, creating open appears and protecting the offense in rhythm.
And because the season progresses, he makes historical past for himself.
Throughout Gonzaga’s February 8 victory over the Pacific Tigers, Nenbird recorded his 244th help within the season, breaking his college document with most assists in a single season. . He’s presently impartial as the one participant in Gonzaga historical past and the one participant to document a number of 200 assists seasons in his profession.
Even John Stockton, the Corridor of Fame and the NBA’s best help chief of all time, has by no means achieved that in his 4 years at Gonzaga.
“It is cool to see my identify within the document e book,” Nembhard informed CBC Sports activities.
“However I do not suppose a lot about it. My job is to place my teammates in the perfect place to succeed.”
After Gonzaga’s 52-point win over Pepperdine final Saturday, the 21-year-old level guard was chosen as this week’s West Coast Convention (WCC) participant, contributing 24 factors and 23 assists to his two wins. did.
Nembhard presently leads the nation in game-by-game assists (10.0), with simply 14 assists since beating the WCC single-season help document (284) set by Emmett Naar in 2019.
Nevertheless, when he was requested by a local in regards to the document in Aurora, Ontario, his response was simple.
“I do not know. I am not apprehensive about that document. I will come if it comes, however I would wish to win a bit of extra.”
Nembhard’s focus shouldn’t be on numbers, however on successful and persevering with to lift his sport. That mind-set is revealed in his work ethic and management in two areas the place his progress couldn’t be denied. His management started to appear in Gonzaga’s candy 16 losses final season, coming into his second and ultimate season with the Bulldogs.
Gonzaga assistant coach Stephen Gentry informed CBC Sports activities that Nenbird’s shift started after final yr’s defeat to Candy 16 Purdue.
“After that loss, Ryan [Nembhard] He was the one I spoke to within the locker room,” Gentry remembers.
“It was a second once we actually challenged him to grow to be extra vocal. He is at all times led by instance, however now he is studying to deliver his teammates with him. Masu.”
“Ryan takes what he gave him. He simply lets him learn basketball. …He goes beneath him on a few of these screens and he will get individuals on these ball screens. I have been making you pay. …It is 40 minutes towards some good strain, man.” – #GONZAGA‘s mark of on… pic.twitter.com/6uiozknwxh
For Nembhard, that shift was not nearly taking over extra duty, however about profiting from his ultimate faculty season.
“I feel I’ve at all times tried to be a frontrunner,” says Nembhard. All the pieces stated and executed. ”
“My pop at all times says, ‘Do not remorse it when the yr is over.’ So I am simply attempting to benefit from what I can do that yr and make my greatest yr. ”
Nembhard has 11 double-doubles to this point this season, ranked 14th in Division I throughout the nation, incomes over 10 assists in 16 video games of 27 video games.
One among solely 51 gamers on the NCAA Div. One historical past has 
, making him one in all two energetic gamers to assist his profession and attain feats. pic.twitter.com/qxx3iy1qlt
Its success isn’t any coincidence. Nembhard’s affect begins lengthy earlier than the tip-off, with the job he places in day-after-day.
“Ryan is our largest fitness center rat. He’s our largest movie addict,” Gentry stated.
“He is an unimaginable chief by way of instance along with his work ethic and habits. So he took his sport to a different stage this yr.”
Ryan Nembhard performs 34.8 minutes per sport (lower than one minute averaged 23-24) and has 270 assists.
It is as many assists because the eight Division I colleges.
His 40-minute common of 11.5 assists equals greater than 72 divisions I… per sport…
Nembhard’s rise was spectacular, but it surely’s not fully unfamiliar. His older brother, Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nenbird, had a really comparable path.
Each are move first level guards identified for his or her excessive IQ in basketball and their potential to reinforce teammates, each studied athletic applications, significantly Mont Verde Academy, a highschool extensively identified for soccer and basketball.
Each performed for 2 years at one other college earlier than shifting to Gonzaga, ending their faculty careers. Ryan spent his first two years at Clayton earlier than shifting on to the Bulldogs. Their paths are surprisingly comparable, however Ryan’s journey has at all times been his personal.
“If he [Andrew] Go someplace and that is a superb scenario for him. Why not do the identical if it really works for him? ” Ryan stated.
“However on the finish of the day, we’re completely different gamers. I simply wish to be the perfect model of myself.”
Rising up, he and Andrew spent numerous hours competing collectively.
Now, because the 6-foot bulldog guard approaches the top of his faculty profession, the potential for becoming a member of Workforce Canada’s senior males’s staff with Andrew is turning into extra reasonable. If that occurs, they would be the first pair of brothers to characterize Canadian basketball collectively since Thomas and Philip Scrub.
“That is undoubtedly one thing we talked about,” Ryan stated.
“It is superb to journey, compete and characterize our nation collectively.”
I proudly characterize Canada
Taking part in for Canada has at all times been a pleasure for Nenbird. He’s already suited to the nationwide staff on the U16 and U19 ranges, successful bronze on the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup and gaining Canadian NBA abilities equivalent to Zac Edith, Benedict Matlin and Caleb Hautang. Masu.
“It is at all times particular when you’ll be able to put your nation’s flag in your chest and characterize one thing greater than you,” he stated.
“I wish to do it when there’s a spot the place I can play with the superior staff that day.”
Trying again, the U19 match is likely one of the most memorable moments of Nembhard’s worldwide profession.
“It was enormous to win the bronze medal on the U19.”
For now, Nembhard has not declared the NBA draft, however Canadians aren’t wanting too far. With the March insanity approaching, he focuses on counting all Gonzaga video games and makes that call when the time is true.
“Now I am simply trapped in a sport of victory,” he stated.
“I am not wanting too far. When the time comes, I will sit with my household and understand what’s greatest for me.”
However whether or not they’re competing for a nationwide championship, representing a senior Canadian staff, or making a leap into the NBA, Nembhard’s subsequent chapter is coming.
