Basketball: Canadian guard Nembhard pulls out of NBA draft
GAINESVILLE, FLA.— Florida point guard Andrew Nembhard is removing his name from the NBA draft and returning to school — just not in Gainesville.
A team spokesperson said Saturday that the Canadian Nembhard plans to transfer and will have two years of college eligibility remaining.
The Aurora-born Nembhard, a member of the Canadian national team, entered the NBA draft — still tentatively scheduled for June 25 — last month. He hired NCAA-certified agent Jaafar Choufani so he could retain his college eligibility. He took a similar approach after his freshman year and eventually returned to Florida after not getting invited to the NBA scouting combine.
As a sophomore, he averaged 11.2 points, 5.6 assists and three rebounds. With 173 assists and 80 turnovers in 2019-20, his assist-to-turnover ratio ranked 49th in the country.
The Gators clearly expected his departure, given that coach Mike White essentially filled his roster spot by signing former Michigan big man Colin Castleton. A Daytona Beach native,
Castleton transferred to Florida last month and will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Castleton and Nembhard could have to sit out next season under NCAA transfer rules. Both could apply for an immediate eligibility waiver or could be immediately eligible if a onetime transfer exception goes into effect before next season.
The Gators finished 19-12 last season and were in position to make the NCAA Tournament for a fourth consecutive year.