The Nets shocked many with their selection of BYU standout Egor Demin during Wednesday’s draft. However, insiders close to the Russian point guard were aware that he had a solid chance of joining the team in Brooklyn.
In fact, the Nets had informed his camp prior to the draft, giving them a heads-up before the surprising announcement at Barclays Center.
“Some dominoes have fallen,” highlighted former BYU player Travis Hansen in a discussion with KSL Sports on Thursday. “We were in the running with Kon Knueppel and Egor. We really liked Brooklyn, so when Kon went fourth overall, we felt confident we had a shot.”
He added, “At one point, I got a message from Brooklyn saying, ‘He’s ours!’ It was a mix of excitement and, well, a bit of restraint—trying to maintain a poker face! But honestly, I was thrilled for him; Brooklyn was definitely one of our top choices.”
Demin’s enthusiasm about heading to Brooklyn is evident. The restructured team represents an ideal opportunity for development, immediate playing time, and a large Russian community. “Joining a team that can develop my skills and influence the game is fantastic,” Demin said. “This club has a rich history and a connection to Russia, given that many Russian players have come through here. I’m honored to be part of the Nets.”
“It kind of reminds me of Moscow, where I’m from. The energy, the liveliness—lots of people and cars. I appreciate that vibe. It feels like a city that never sleeps.”
After the draft, the first thing Demin did was train at the HSS Training Center on Thursday. He had already worked out with the Nets three times leading up to the draft, which is quite a lot, indicating he clearly made an impression.
Interestingly, the Thunder’s GM, Sam Presti, reportedly considered trading up to draft him from the 15th spot, showing that Demin created buzz beyond just the Nets.
As for Atlanta, Demin also had a strong showing there, showcasing his basketball IQ.
In the end, though, he landed with the Nets, amidst trade talks buzzing online. “Brooklyn is in this young development phase, and that’s exactly what we envisioned for him,” Hansen stated. “They’ll be patient, they’ll challenge him, and he’s got the potential to shine. Honestly, while we liked OKC, Brooklyn feels like the perfect fit.”
Additionally, an official Israeli X account congratulated Israeli Bensalaf and Israeli-American Danny Wolf for being drafted by the Nets at the 26th and 27th positions, respectively.
On Thursday night, Brooklyn also confirmed signing a two-way deal with Alabama player Grant Nelson.
