Ryan Nembhard…Creighton’s Kasparov.

Master Strategist & Tactician as PG.

What we have here is a “once in a generation” college basketball player. However, in this particular one, Creighton has unearthed a master strategist and tactician. What we have here is a literal Field Marshall, a general amongst generals.

Ryan has always been the little brother, the youngest of the brood. The Nembhard brothers have been playing basketball practically since they learned to walk. He’s always had to prove himself amongst the older, stronger, & bigger competitors. Therefore, at a young age, he became the consummate thinker, a strategist. He had to develop both quickness of foot and intellect – to develop that quick burst, first step, and to out-think his opponents – in order to effectively compete against the giants.

He has developed into an elite strategist… He sees the entirety of the battlefield, and is always mapping scenarios. He is generally 2-3 steps ahead of his opponent. Ryan sees the Big Picture and can adapt and adjust his strategy as needed. He can deploy various tactics to distract, disrupt, and disorient the opponent. He capitalizes on what the enemy gives him or fails to take away from his plans. His field of vision and forward thinking allow him to strategically turn on a dime and change/adjust tactics on the fly. I initially thought of a creative genius, a DeBussy, a Miles Davis, or a Degas. However, Nembhard’s history shows us that he is more of a Patton, Kasparov, or Bobby Fischer in his creativity.

North Pole Hoops – 2017 Mixtape
North Pole Hoops – NPH 2018 video
North Pole Hoops – Canadian Natl Invitational Tourney – 2018
BallisLife video

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=2021+geico+basketball+HS+Nationals

Comments from those who know him: from: https://bluenotes2.com/2020/06/07/more-on-the-jays-2021-commit-ryan-nembhard/

Ryan has drawn a lot of interest his play over this past year, with several schools in the mix. His play in last June’s FIBA U16 Championships opened the eyes of many of the experts. Nembhard followed that up with sterling play this year in helping Monteverde Academy to the #1 spot in High School ball.

With that, he’s drawn tons of college interest and offers. Many of whom would’ve taken him for either class but will now obviously accept the fact that he moved up one class.

Stanford, Seton Hall, USC, Arizona State, (Florida, Ohio State) are among those involved,” he said. Also mentioned some new programs involved which include Creighton, Gonzaga and Maryland.” – Jake Weingarten, StockRisers

“The 6-foot-1 guard is a quick and tough-nosed prospect at the point of attack that makes everyone around him better. He brings great composure and a pace for the game, and is more than capable of defending the opposing team’s best ballhandler.” – Corey Evans, Rivals

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Photo courtesy Team Canada

Claude Nembhard (Dad) discussed the decision. “I just think that he is mature enough and he is ready. He has been playing up and has never really played his age. He belongs in the 2021 class and academically, he is really good so there is no need in prolonging it,” he said.

“Ryan is one of the premier guards in America at both pushing the ball in transition and putting pressure on the ball-handler full court,” Montverde coach Kevin Boyle said. “He’s a great student and leader.”

I have been reviewing the games of the Monteverde Academy season. MVA couldn’t have won the National Championship without Ryan orchestrating/conducting the show. Ryan Nembhard puts the “ohhh” in go. He’s the turbojet of the F-22 Raptor. He’s the little engine that could. He does whatever it takes in the game, to win. He’s a proven Champion. I am excited as hell that Ryan chose to be a Creighton Bluejay. With a winner like Ryan running the show, even great expectations are low. I have stated for a decade or more that Creighton Basketball’s best days were ahead of us. Folks, I believe that we have now just entered the era of our best days.

Give Ryan the keys to the “Let it Fly” Ferrari…let’s roll!

Let It Fly

Let It Fly!

#Roll Damn Jays!

Just a tad of Way too Early…

Creighton Reloads…Business as Usual.

Jays belong in the Preseason Top 25 Polls

WTE Preseason Forecast Creighton Bluejays

Using the CBS 25+1 preseason Poll as a guide, using their format and train of logic, here is my quick take on where the Bluejays fall during the early preseason. This way-too-early forecast should be seen as a guide to the upcoming Jays season, and a reasonably accurate arc of the 2021+22 season for CU. This is an unofficial Bluenotes way too early forecast. Official predictions are annually published every August 15th.

#RollDamnJays!

#10 – #15. Creighton

Coach: Greg McDermott | 2020-21 record: 22-9

  • Notable players expected to leave:  Damien Jefferson, Marcus Zegarowski, Mitch Ballock, Denzel Mahoney, Antwaan Jones, Christian Bishop
  • Notable players expected to return:  Ryan Kalkbrenner, Shereef Mitchell, Alex O’Connell, Rati Andronikashvili, Modestas Kancleris
  • Expected additions: Arthur Kaluma, Mason Miller, Ryan Nembhard, Trey Alexander, John Christofilis, and transfers Ryan Hawkins, KeyShawn Feazell

Creighton is being snubbed by the vast majority of writers/pollsters. The Jays should be ranked in the preseason polls. Many currently ranked schools found themselves in the same boat, with players graduating, transferring, entering the NBA Draft. Many currently ranked teams are in rebuild mode. Yep, the Jays lost 3 players to graduation, 1 early draftee, & 2 transfers. For many teams, such a predicament would be fatal. However, we’re talking about the Creighton Bluejays here, so this transition is manageable. For 2021/22 it’s business as usual on the Hilltop.

So, of course the writers and pundits will use differing criteria when judging “lil Creighton”, in order to continue to belittle and/or outright ignoring the Jays accomplishments. I would merely suggest that the national pundits put away their Big East bias and use the same criteria, the same template, the same standards – used when evaluating rebuilding schools such as Florida State, Texas, Kentucky, Auburn, Virginia, Tennessee, Michigan State, Alabama, or other so-called “name” school – when evaluating Creighton. Leave your biases outside the office. ESPN will be ESPN, but I expect more from NCAA.com, NBC, CBS, SI, The Athletic, Busting Brackets, SportingNews, and the rest of you (Adam Z, Jeff G, Jeff B, Jon R, Matt N, Seth D, Andy K, Gary P, and other writers).

The keys to Creighton’s reload is the returning of pivot Ryan Kalkbrenner, wing OConnell (Sr), and PG Mitchell (Jr), all with a year or more of playing experience under their belts. Fwd Modestas and PG Rati are familiar with the system, though they missed the season with injuries. They all know the system and should show marked improvement this coming season. Add in Senior (transfers) PFs Hawkins (22 ppg/9 rbd) and Feazell (13 ppg/9 rbd), whose experience will bolster what would have been an extremely young frontcourt and the Jays will be steady.

Creighton’s #5 2021 recruiting class 247.com (#6 Rivals, #? ESPN) brings in tons of scoring firepower, rebounding, defense, and energy. Any/all of the incoming recruits are capable of starting. Grading during Summer/Fall workouts and Fall practice sessions will further determine how this all shakes out and who does what. Competition will be keen for PG and SG positions and is a good thing. At PG the 3 candidates (Shereef-Rati-Ryan) will have at it to see who starts, as will AOC-Trey-John at the 2 spot. Modestas Kancleris, Ryan Hawkins, Mason Miller, & Arthur Kaluma will man/rotate the forward spots. The team is deep at most positions, with the exception of the pivot, where KeyShawn Feazell will log time to offset Kalkbrenner.

The Bluejays situation has improved since 26 May. Creighton signed 2 more top recruits (Arthur Kaluma, 45/247, 46/Rivals, 45/ESPN and Trey Alexander 73/247, 81/Rivals, 55/ESPN) and another transfer big in PF KeyShawn Feazell (Miss St/McNeese St – 13 ppg/9 rbg). PFs Feazell, and Hawkins, provide depth and experience upfront to help Kalkbrenner. Alexander, Christofilis, Miller, and Kaluma bring additional scoring and rebounding, while Nembhard gets the keys. The Bluejays’ bus is filling up, fellas.

The Jays 2021 Class is 5th on 247 and 6th on Rivals. Creighton is the only Top 10 class (247) not ranked by the pundits. Tenn, Duke, UK, Fl. St., Bama, Mich St. KU – are all rebuilding via transfers and recruiting. What’s up with that? Creighton deserves a Top 10-15 ranking, especially if fellow rebuilders such as Duke, UK, Fl St, Mich St, Bama, and Tennessee are ranked. Fair is fair and Top 10 is Top 10. The Jays are worthy of Top 10-15 rankings.

Exciting times ahead and I look forward to another great season for Creighton. 3 seniors, 1 junior, and a ton of youth. Sure, there will be a rough patch or two. Sure, the learning curve may be steep for some of the frosh. But overall, with many of the newbies having had experience playing at pace in high-level programs, the overall smarts & high IQ’s, and the overall talent at hand, I expect the Jays to excel and execute another sterling campaign. I expect this group to surprise most and win the 2021-22 Big East season and make another great NCAA run this coming Spring 2022.

-gtmoBlue

#RollDamnJays!