Egor Demin Seeks Guidance from Legends
Egor Demin has played 12 games in the NBA so far, and as of Tuesday, the 19-year-old rookie from BYU is looking for direction on a Nets team that is short on experienced stars.
Having grown up in Moscow and with a stint at Real Madrid prior to his NBA career, he finds himself reaching out for advice—from the likes of former Net Vince Carter last month to Washington Capitals icon Alex Ovechkin just this past weekend.
Carter traveled with the Nets for a preseason trip to China, while Ovechkin connected with Demin following the Devils’ match against Washington and just before the Nets secured their second victory of the season over the Wizards on Sunday. Both interactions meant a lot, but the conversation with Carter could be pivotal for Demin’s development, especially since Ovechkin is a “legend” back in Russia.
Demin is diligent in taking notes during these encounters. Carter holds a special place not just in basketball, but for Demin personally—his dad, Vladimir, played professional basketball in Russia and admired Carter.
“When I saw the video of my dad talking to me, he was crying. He said, ‘Man, that guy changed the game,’” Demin recounted after a shootaround before facing the Celtics at Barclays Center.
“Everyone talks about Steph, LeBron, and Michael,” he added. “But Vince was one of those who really changed the game in his own way. That’s special for me because I know how much that meant to my dad. Through my experiences, I feel like I’m fulfilling his dream.”
Demin is eager to apply the lessons from Carter to his game. He filled multiple notebooks during their conversation, hoping to absorb insights from such a seasoned player.
“It’s tough to predict what value you’ll gain from someone like Vince. It’s often easier to identify what you miss,” Demin remarked. “With his experience, he probably has more wisdom about the game than anyone else.”
As the No. 8 pick in last year’s draft, Demin aimed to glean Carter’s mentality and how he perceived the game both then and now. “Sometimes, it’s easier to analyze things from an outsider’s perspective. If you’ve played, you might have clearer insights,” he noted.
Demin emphasized the importance of note-taking for his learning process. “I think that’s how I understand information better. Some grasp it visually, but I find writing things down to be the fastest way to learn,” he explained. “I don’t have much time with Vince, so I just ask questions and jot them down.”
If there’s any curiosity about his notes, Demin reassured that they’re quite secure. “They’re written in different languages—Russian, English, and Spanish—so no one can easily decipher them.” He hopes these insights will translate into success on the court.
