With Andrew Nembhard currently declared for the NBA Draft it’s up in the air whether or not he’ll be back at Florida for his junior season, though many people have the feeling that his time with the Gators is done. To get a feel for what his NBA outlook is I reached out to some of the best draft analysts out there to see what their thoughts were on the lengthy point guard.
I asked each analyst for short responses to these two questions:
1) How do you feel about Nembhard as a pro prospect?
2) If he does go pro, where do you see him playing next season?
Through their insight we’ll be able to get an unbiased look at what the draft community at large thinks about Nembhard and his potential.
Spencer Pearlman
The Stepien, 2019 Phoenix Suns Draft Consultant
@SKPearlman
First off, I’m surprised he’s staying in, but also excited because I want to see Mann with a bigger role.
I’m not too high on him as a pro prospect, but I think he will definitely end up playing professionally somewhere. Right now, I don’t really think he’s very draftable – maybe a second round pick? He’s skilled, yes, but the athleticism concerns worry me a bit.
I’d look to get him on a 2-way if I were able to, or at the very least an exhibit 10 contract. If he doesn’t want to go the GLeague route, I think he’d do very well in Europe and be an impact player there almost off the bat. His style fits overseas a bit more than it does in the US, unless the shooting improves enough to help negate some of the lower end athleticism he possesses. In a few years, I think there might be a better chance of him making a rotation (assuming natural progression of his game), but right now I don’t really see it.
Boiling it down to its most simplistic terms, his skill level has to become high enough to overcome the lack of athleticism that he will be met with in the NBA; if not, because the athleticism is not at NBA levels overseas, he can definitely make a nice career there.
Matt Babcock
Babcock Hoops, Former NBA Agent
@MattBabcock11
At 6’5”, Nembhard has terrific size for a point guard, and he’s a natural passer and playmaker, attributes that should translate nicely. However, he’s not overly quick by NBA standards and his outside shooting continues to be his Achilles’ heel.
This year’s draft is loaded with point guards, so it will certainly be an uphill battle for him to be selected. If he were to remain in the draft, I would expect him to go undrafted and forced to consider two-way contracts or G League options. The Florida Gators should have a really nice team next season. I would recommend that Nembhard return to school, tighten up his outside shooting, and see where he’s at after the season.
Stone Hansen
HoopsHabit, Draftsite
@report_court
I’m actually a pretty big Nembhard fan, but unfortunately I think he’s the perfect example of a prospect where the idea of him is more enticing than what he actually is. I personally don’t really view him as much of a prospect at this point with the struggles he’ll likely face at the next level. Not really much of a scoring threat due to the lack of burst, poor finishing, and avoidance of any sort of contact. I think he’ll struggle a lot to create for himself and would likely be used more as a guy to just fill in some spot minutes as a backup guard who can shoot spot ups and keep the ball moving. I’m higher on his defense than most but am still not definitively confident that it will translate to the next level to the point that it will be of much impact.
If he does go pro I personally don’t see him getting drafted, but maaaaybe could squeak out a two-way contract with a team. If by some chance he does get selected by a team I’d say Toronto, Dallas, or San Antonio would probably be the ideal landing spots for him.
Mike Gribanov
The Stepien
@mikegrib8
I think Nembhard isn’t a good enough scorer as an NBA prospect. His playmaking and defense are impressive but he won’t be able to put enough pressure on the D to utilize the playmaking. While his defense is good, I don’t see him as a game changing defender. I think next season he will be in the G-League but eventually will probably end up being a good overseas player. I can see him in the Australian league.
Gabe Esquivel
Def Pen
@AllDaySportTalk
I liked Nembhard as a draft prospect a lot more a year ago. The dip in 3ptshooting percentage and overall lackluster season he and Florida had hurt his stock and probably made him undraftable. In theory, he’s a good 2nd unit PG who can knock down 3s off the catch and run an offense well enough through IQ and distribution. But the shooting waivers and decision-making isn’t quite what you’d want it to be after 2 years in college.
I could see a team picking him for a Summer League run and possible G League roster spot. However he may end up finding it more lucrative financially (as well as playing on a comparatively bigger stage) to go to one of the better European leagues.
Anonymous NBA Scout
He’s not in our top-120 players. He doesn’t reach the benchmarks of what we want a (his team’s name) to be. I think some other teams will have interest but he’s not for us.
Anonymous NBA Executive
I like Nembhard but we won’t use a draft pick on him. I like him playing on (his team’s G League affiliate) running some offense and helping things operate. I don’t see a lot of upside and I’m not sure he’ll get a contract but I’d like him in our organization. You need guys like that in the G League to share the ball.