Nets’ Rookie Egor Demin Sets Franchise Record

Nets coach Jordi Fernandez got the aggressive play he was hoping to see from rookie point guard Egor Demin. On Monday night, Demin made a franchise-record seven of 14 3-pointers during the game against the Warriors.

However, the 19-year-old, who was a lottery pick, only managed three assists in 32 minutes of play. He also had two crucial turnovers in the fourth quarter, which was disappointing, especially as the team aimed for their first three-game winning streak of the season.

Fernandez commented on Demin’s performance, saying, “You learn lessons every day, particularly against strong defensive teams.” He noted, while the 3-point shooting was impressive, Demin’s decision-making and ability to penetrate the paint needed improvement. “He will review the film, which he’s always done effectively,” Fernandez added.

He emphasized, “Demin has high expectations for himself—so do I. I want him to maintain that shooting percentage and aggression but also improve his setups. More assists and paint touches would be beneficial. He’ll definitely keep trying his hardest, which is a great trait in our young players. They hold themselves to high standards and come back ready to work each day.”

Demin himself expressed his excitement about playing alongside future Hall of Famer Stephen Curry, saying, “It’s an honor to be on the court at the same time.” The BYU standout, picked 8th overall, scored a personal best of 23 points and tied for the most 3-pointers by a rookie this NBA season.

Teammate Nick Claxton remarked, “That performance gave him a lot of confidence. He hit some crucial shots. Sure, he still has mistakes to learn from, but he has potential and will only improve.”

The 6-foot-8 Demin has averaged 11.8 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.2 turnovers while shooting 38.7 percent from beyond the arc as the Nets recorded a 7-4 run in December before their upcoming home game against the Rockets.

Demin noted a growing comfort level on the court: “I’m seeing progress, not just for myself, but for everyone on the team. With time, it’s becoming easier for me, both physically and mentally.” He continued, “I think it’s a privilege to get so much time on the court, and I really want to impact the game in various ways.

Three other rookies, Nolan Traore, Danny Wolfe, and Drake Powell, also saw at least 15 minutes of action against the Warriors, with Traore marking a personal best of nine points, including three 3-pointers.

Leading scorer Michael Porter Jr. praised the young players, saying, “They faced a tough team with a lot of experience in Green, Butler, and Curry. I’m proud of how they competed. They’re improving rapidly.” He added, “The more experience they gain, the easier it will be for us to challenge top-tier teams. We’re maturing quickly.”