In sports, having talent is one thing, but growing up alongside someone destined for stardom comes with its own kind of pressure. It’s not enough to just be around greatness; it takes discipline, dedication, and relentless commitment to keep up. That’s exactly what Andrew Nembhard and his younger brother Ryan learned early on—thanks to a father who coached and a mother who kept everything on track behind the scenes.
In the following article, we’ll take a closer look at Ryan and the role their parents played in shaping both of their sons into the athletes and leaders they are today.
Andrew Nembhard’s Brother Ryan Also Plays Basketball
Basketball wasn’t just a sport in the Nembhard household—it was the language they spoke. With their dad, Claude, having played at the college level and now coaching, and their mom, Mary, always keeping things organized and grounded, Andrew and Ryan were raised in an environment where hoops were part of daily life.
Ryan, like his older brother, is carving out his own place in the game. Just before the NBA Draft Combine on June 25, the young talent turned heads at the G League Elite Camp, earning himself a late call-up to the main stage—mirroring Andrew’s path a few years back. Andrew had done the same in 2022, even pushing through an injury to impress scouts, including the Indiana Pacers, who eventually picked him up.
For Ryan, this was a shot to show he’s ready for the next level. “I think it’s just an opportunity to show everyone what you can do in a 5-on-5 setting,” he told Fieldhouse Files. “You can show some things that maybe you haven’t shown at your college. And I think it’s just a good opportunity for people to show what they can bring to a team.”
There’s no denying the similarities between the two. They both went through Florida’s powerhouse Montverde Academy, launched their college careers at one school, and then transferred to Gonzaga. They’re both smart on the floor, tough on defense, and known for leading by example rather than being the loudest in the room.
Back home in Ontario, their one-on-one battles were legendary. The driveway turned into their personal arena—lowered rims, fierce dunks, and plenty of trash talk. “We used to play all the time on the driveway,” Ryan once said. “Every day after school pretty much. We used to lower the rim, try and dunk on each other and all that. But he knows how to get on my nerves. I used to like swing mats at his head and stuff. So it got pretty serious at times, for sure.”
On the international stage, Ryan has already proven he’s a force in his own right. During the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup, he led Team Canada to a bronze medal, averaging 15.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game. He capped it off with a standout 21-point performance in the win over Serbia.
How Their Parents Built the Nembhard Brothers from the Ground Up
Claude, originally from Jamaica and raised in Canada, played college ball at York and Ryerson. He saw the game not just as a sport, but as a way of life—and passed that on early. When Andrew was just a baby, Claude brought home a plastic Fisher-Price hoop.
Andrew credits both parents equally. “My dad has been a huge part of my basketball,” he said. “He coached me all way until the end of grade 10. My mom shaped me to be the person I am, instilled the values in me.”
Claude later became the CEO of Ontario Basketball. These days, he’s building systems that help other kids chase the same dream—creating youth programs, mentoring talent, and strengthening the sport’s future in Canada. “My kids were lucky to be around the best. Now, I want to bring that same environment to everyone,” he said.
While Claude handled the coaching and the courtside, Mary ran the world behind the scenes. She was the scheduler, the early riser, the one with snacks in the bag and reminders in her head. If they had a 6 a.m. practice, she was up at 5. If a game didn’t go well, she was the one waiting with a warm voice and a cooler head.
