Egor Demin’s Rising Star Moment in the NBA
During a recent discussion about Egor Demin, current NBA coach Kevin Young highlighted several aspects of the player’s talent. Demin, who played under Young at BYU before being drafted No. 8 overall by the Nets, stands tall at 6-foot-9.
He has impressive length and shooting ability, even if his percentages with the Cougars weren’t always tops. Plus, he’s known for being a capable passer, which is a big part of any game.
At one point in the conversation, an NBA coach asked Young, “Why isn’t this kid getting more recognition?” It’s clear that, given Young’s experience with stars like Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, he sees players through an NBA filter. He recognized Demin’s potential to thrive in the modern game, especially while recruiting him.
It hasn’t been a smooth transition to the Nets’ roster, which is still rebuilding. However, Demin is now settling in as a regular starter under coach Jordi Fernandez, averaging 10.4 points and 3.4 assists per game. Being named an NBA Rising Star this week is just the icing on the cake.
Young, while perhaps a bit biased, expressed that he couldn’t help but feel that Demin was one of the standout talents in his draft class. “Look, the NBA is all about players who have size and skill,” Young remarked. “There aren’t too many 6-foot-2 or 6-foot-4 guards anymore. His potential is enormous.”
Last season, Demin’s shooting from beyond the arc was a mere 27.3 percent during his college season, but with the Nets, he’s improved dramatically to 39.7 percent in his first NBA season.
He even tied an NBA rookie record by making 33 consecutive three-pointers, although he won’t get to try for a new one until at least Friday. Young pointed out that shooting is really what keeps players in the league. He noted, “Most players come in hoping to learn how to shoot better.”
From the start, Young had high hopes for Demin. A particularly memorable left-handed dunk against Ole Miss made Young think, “Oh wow!” There was also a moment against Oklahoma State when Demin, trapped near the half-court line, managed to dish the ball to the corner under pressure.
Demin was a key recruit for Young at BYU, making waves early on by averaging 10.6 points and 5.5 assists, helping the team reach the Sweet 16. Young always believed Demin would eventually find his rhythm in the NBA, despite some initial challenges and a tough rebuilding period with the Nets. Demin has room to grow, particularly in finding ways to create opportunities against faster and stronger opponents.
Despite the ups and downs, Demin’s development, marked by the Rising Star recognition, speaks volumes about his journey. “Once he started getting consistent looks and his output improved, I had a feeling he could really shine,” said Young, reflecting on the recent advancements.
On a related note, Terrence Mann (back soreness), Ziaire Williams (left calf contusion), Cam Thomas (left hamstring), and Noah Clowney (back) were all sidelined for the Nets on Thursday.
