During his rookie season, Egor Dëmin was shifted away from the point guard position, but with Mikel Brown Jr. currently sidelined, the Nets have moved him back into that role.
So what is Dëmin? A point guard? A shooting guard?
According to Dëmin, it’s neither. He thinks of himself as a player, a winner.
And, based on early preseason performances, he might be onto something.
Reflecting on last year’s summer league and his pre-draft workouts with the Nets, Dëmin expressed that he always saw himself as a versatile player who could contribute in various ways. “I’m a winner, so I want to win as much as I can,” he said. “If that involves me getting 25 assists and only five points, I’m all for it. My main goal is to be versatile and help the team however I can. Just look at LeBron James; he plays every position from one to five.”
Dëmin started at point guard in another preseason game on Thursday, leading to a second win for the Nets, a 114-108 victory against the 76ers at Barclays Center.
With Brown out, Dëmin scored 13 points, recorded five assists, and had a notable plus-13 rating in just over 21 minutes. It was another strong showing.
“He was very composed, with five assists and only one turnover, penetrating the defense multiple times,” coach Jordi Fernández noted. “You can see how much he’s grown since last year. I might want him to shoot more threes, but his desire to involve his teammates is evident. He played smart, defended well, and acted as a leader; he’s growing into that role.”
For the 20-year-old, developing his leadership skills is crucial on this young Nets team. Julius Randle commented, “He’s not shy about taking charge. We all see his talent, but he’s also stepping up to lead and communicate more. I encourage him to embrace this role; age isn’t a barrier to being a leader.”
“He’s clearly comfortable with who he is as a player and has a good understanding of the game. He plays without trying to prove anything and is simply making the right decisions. He’s got the background of a point guard that helps him organize the team,” Randle added. “His future looks bright.”
Dëmin began last season as a point guard but faced challenges with driving to the lane. After a summer focused on building strength and refining his aggressive play style, he seems like a new player.
“Last year, when he got into the paint, it often felt like he had no plan,” Fernández remarked. “But this year, he worked hard under pressure, and it really shows.”
This improved player provides Fernández with more options when Brown returns and can play both on and off the ball. Dëmin demonstrated his abilities by constantly attacking the paint during Tuesday’s win against Charlotte and then handling James and Embiid effectively in Thursday’s game.
“I’m really focused on being a leader for this group in a selfless manner,” Dëmin stated. “Winning is my priority, and I want to understand each teammate to lead effectively. Putting in the effort to set an example and being vocal, as Julius mentioned, will definitely play a big role in my development.”
