Gonzaga’s Ryan Nembhard makes Cousy Award watch list

Two years after older brother Andrew was named one of five finalists for the Bob Cousy Award, Gonzaga junior Ryan Nembhard has been added to the watch list for the award recognizing the top point guard in college basketball.

At least one of the Nembhard brothers has made the preseason watch list in four of the past five years with Andrew making it in 2019 following his freshman season at Florida and 2021 prior to his junior season at Gonzaga. The Bob Cousy selection committee chose Gonzaga’s Jalen Suggs for the watch list ahead of the 2020 season.

Ryan Nembhard, who transferred to Gonzaga this offseason from Creighton, was also named to the watch list prior to his sophomore season with the Bluejays. One of the most coveted players in the transfer portal, Nembhard made 64 starts at Creighton over the last two seasons, averaging 12.1 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists during the 2022-23 season and 11.3 points and 4.4 assists during a freshman season that was cut short due to injury.

Nembhard scored a career-high 30 points and made four 3-pointers for Creighton during a second-round NCAA Tournament win over Baylor at Ball Arena in Denver. He averaged 14.0 points and 3.5 assists during the tournament.

Gonzaga is guaranteed to face three other point guards who made Monday’s watch list. The Bulldogs will play UConn’s Tristen Newton, USC’s Isaiah Collier and Kentucky’s DJ Wagner during nonconference play and have a chance to face Kansas’ Dajuan Harris Jr., Marquette’s Tyler Kolek, Syracuse’s Judah Mintz and Tennessee’s Zakai Zeigler at the Maui Invitational.

Other players on the watch list include Colorado State’s Isaiah Stevens, Creighton’s Steven Ashworth, Duke’s Tyrese Proctor, Houston’s Jamal Shead, Maryland’s Jahmir Young, Memphis’ Jahvon Quinerly, Miami’s Nijel Pack, North Carolina’s RJ Davis, Penn State’s Ace Baldwin Jr., Texas’ Max Abmas and Texas A&M’s Wade Taylor.