NBA Draft prospect Drew Timme remembers dueling with Myles Turner, not surprised by Pacers rookie Andrew Nembhard's success
CHICAGO — NBA Draft Prospect Drew Timme has battled against NBA talent before. In the college ranks, he went against the occasional player who had the opportunity to reach the pros. But some of his duels against the best basketball players in the world took place during pickup games in his home area.
Timme hails from Richardson, Texas, a suburb 25 minutes North of Dallas. He was a Mavericks fan growing up and a high school star. When he leaves Gonzaga University and goes back to Dallas, he often gets to play against NBA talent.
"While we are a football state, we're a basketball state, too," Timme said at the NBA Draft Combine last week. He shared that he has worked out with Cade Cunningham, Tyrese Maxey, Emmanuel Mudiay, and Marcus Smart while back in the Lone Star State.
He's also been in the gym with Indiana Pacers big man Myles Turner, who is from Bedford — a suburb to the West of Dallas. Turner enjoys his returns to Texas and throws on a cowboy hat for some of his battles with the Mavs.
"He comes back, hooped with him this past summer. It's just great," Timme said of Turner. They are both centers. "They don't have to do that. They just love the city and love giving back. They're just great people for that."
Timme is one of the older prospects in the 2023 NBA Draft cycle. He will turn 23-years old before training camp starts this calendar year. But he's also one of the most experienced prospects. He spent four seasons with the Gonzaga Bulldogs, where he averaged 17.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game in 134 appearances.
He helped the Washington-located school reach the National Championship game in 2021 and the Sweet Sixteen in 2022. "Just to be able to do this is super dope," the big man said of the pre-draft process. He said it's more enjoyable, in part, because he knows he isn't going back to school.
The 2021 title game run took place in Indianapolis, with the Bulldogs dropping the game to the Baylor Bears. One of Timme's teammates on that squad was now-Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, who Indiana selected with the 31st overall pick in 2022.
Nembhard had a terrific rookie season, averaging 9.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game in 75 appearances for the blue and gold. He became a full-time starter quickly for the team and was invited to the Rising Stars Challenge at NBA All-Star weekend.
To some, that was a surprise. Nembhard was a second round pick, after all. But not to Timme, who was his teammate for two seasons with Gonzaga.
"Not at all," Timme said when asked if he was surprised by Nembhard's success. "He just knows how to play and make people better. What more could you want than that?"
Head coach Mark Few has become one of the best NCAA coaches at developing talent. Nembhard, Domantas Sabonis, Jalen Suggs, Rui Hachimura, and many more are evidence of that. Timme could be next.
"We win a lot at Gonzaga, and you play with a lot of good guys," he said. "We don't win by chance or by mistake," he added, noting that daily habits that translate to the hardwood are what make Gonzaga players so successful in the NBA.
Timme had 17 points and seven rebounds in a scrimmage just before meeting with the media at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. His team was 2-0 at that point, and his play was a big reason why.
Currently, ESPN does not have Timme being selected with one of the 58 picks in their latest mock draft. But the center is working hard with the hopes of making it to the NBA, and he caught up with Nembhard recently before the pre-draft process began.
"He actually was at [Gonzaga] when his brother (Ryan) visited, so we were kicking it a lot and just kinda talking about things," Timme said. Ryan Nembhard transferred from Creighton to Gonzaga. "The success he's had, it's not a surprise to any of us that have been with him. I think it's great for everyone else to really appreciate how much he meant to us when you see it on the biggest state."
Between Turner, Nembhard, and the 2021 title game, Drew Timme has plenty of Indiana ties. The Pacers already have numerous centers and don't need another one, so the ties may end there. But the big man is still working towards reaching the NBA, and his productive Draft Combine got him closer.
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