Egor Demin is quite clear: he didn’t exactly spend the summer “sitting on the couch.” Instead, he made the most of his recovery from plantar fasciitis to gear up for his upcoming NBA debut.
The 6-foot-8 point guard was drafted eighth by the Brooklyn Nets out of BYU, making him the team’s first lottery pick since Derrick Favors back in 2010. Initially weighing only 199 pounds, Demin focused on bulking up during his downtime and successfully added over 10 pounds, making a noticeable impact in his preseason outing against Toronto, where he scored 14 points and grabbed five rebounds in just 19 minutes.
“For me, getting to 205 was a top priority before the season kicked off,” Demin shared ahead of the regular-season opener in Charlotte. “Competing with other athletes in the NBA, it’s important to be stronger, especially on both ends of the court.” He continued, “As long as I stay above that weight—without becoming too heavy, since I still need my speed—it feels right. Now, I believe I’ve found a good balance with my weight, muscle, and conditioning.”
At only 19, Demin is the first of a record five first-round picks for the Nets, competing with rookies Nolan Traore and Ben Saraf for the point guard position under coach Jordi Fernandez, who hasn’t decided on the starter for opening night.
During the preseason, Traore and Saraf each held starting roles in the four games, while Demin focused on learning from the sidelines as he recovered from his injury.
“As a player, it’s rare to see the game from a different viewpoint,” he remarked. “Typically, you only see things from the court’s perspective or while waiting for your chance. For me, I thought about how I could still make an impact on my development. I hadn’t practiced, so it was an opportunity to think about my improvement.”
Demin is currently working to enhance his outside shooting after averaging just 27.3 percent from three-point range at BYU. His efforts paid off in the Summer League, where he shot an impressive 43.5 percent, and he notably made 2-of-3 three-point attempts in the exhibition against the Raptors.
“Going into the Summer League, I heard people doubting my shooting ability. If you look at my college stats, it’s valid to say I struggled,” he acknowledged. “But I wasn’t just sitting at home doing nothing. I’ve been actively working on that aspect of my game.”
“It’s not just about the obvious, though. I’m also focusing on all-around improvements. Sure, people say I need better dribbling or shooting skills, and I’m well aware of these issues. But I’m not content just honing my strengths. I’m striving to become a versatile player who can adapt to whatever is required.”
Demin is really looking forward to his rookie season, beginning Wednesday, but last week’s preseason game was a significant personal milestone.
“I’ve been anticipating the chance to be back on the court for almost two months. Now that I’m here, I feel confident about my game. Having been off for a while, it feels good to play again,” he expressed. “With a bit of added weight, I feel stronger and more powerful. As I’m getting to know the team better, I’m also trying to assert myself and take on a leadership role as a point guard.”
