Former Gonzaga guard Andrew Nembhard, who played a crucial role in Indiana’s unexpected run to the Eastern Conference finals, is receiving a significant reward.
The Pacers and Nembhard have agreed on a three-year, $59 million contract extension, the maximum he’s eligible for, starting in the 2025-26 season, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Indiana will decline the $2.2 million team option on Nembhard’s original contract for 2025-26, allowing the new deal to commence that season.
Initially, Nembhard signed a four-year, $8.583 million contract after being selected by Indiana with the first pick of the second round, 31st overall. The 6-foot-5 guard has been a starter for most of his two seasons, posting similar stats – 9.5 points and 4.5 assists as a rookie and 9.2 points and 4.1 assists last season – but his averages surged to 14.9 points and 5.5 assists in last season’s playoffs.
Nembhard’s clutch 3-pointer with 16.4 seconds left broke a tie in a Game 3 win over New York, helping the sixth-seeded Pacers win the series 4-3. He hit seven 3-pointers and averaged 28 points and 9.5 assists against Boston in the final two games of the Eastern Conference finals, with standout point guard Tyrese Haliburton injured.
Nembhard’s 48.3% accuracy on 3-pointers in the playoffs was the highest among players with at least 25 attempts, according to ESPN Stats and Info.
A Toronto native, Nembhard is preparing for the Summer Olympics in France with Team Canada, alongside former Zag forward Kelly Olynyk. Canada, which defeated the U.S. for the bronze medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, opens against Greece on Saturday in the group phase.
Nembhard averaged 10.5 points and 5.1 assists in two seasons at Gonzaga after transferring from Florida. He was second-team All-West Coast Conference in 2021 when Gonzaga finished 31-1, losing only in the national championship to Baylor. Nembhard made the first team in 2022.
Andrew’s younger brother, Ryan Nembhard, is entering his senior season as Gonzaga’s starting point guard after transferring from Creighton. Ryan averaged 12.6 points and 6.9 assists while earning first-team All-WCC honors last season. He recorded 18 points and 10 assists in a blowout over Pacific last February, with Andrew watching at the McCarthey Athletic Center during the NBA All-Star weekend.
