Egor Demin’s Steady Rise Giving the Brooklyn Nets Reason for Optimism

When the Brooklyn Nets selected Egor Demin with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft — their first lottery choice in 15 years — the move was widely questioned. Critics viewed the 19-year-old Russian point guard, fresh off a single season at BYU, as too raw for immediate NBA impact. His first few outings seemed to confirm those concerns, as he struggled to assert himself and adapt to the pace of professional basketball.

That narrative is beginning to shift. On Tuesday night, Demin turned in his most complete performance yet, posting 16 points on 5-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-8 from beyond the arc, along with four rebounds, five assists, and only one turnover in Brooklyn’s 119–109 loss to the Toronto Raptors. It marked his third straight start — and a third consecutive strong outing.

Head coach Jordi Fernández lauded Demin’s composure and confidence, calling him a player who “belongs.” Fernández highlighted the guard’s aggressiveness and decision-making, noting his 11 shot attempts and excellent assist-to-turnover ratio against Toronto’s active defense as evidence of real growth. “The challenge now is sustaining it,” the coach said, pointing to defense and consistency as the next steps.

With injuries reshuffling Brooklyn’s lineup — particularly Cam Thomas’ hamstring absence — Demin’s minutes and responsibilities have surged. In that stretch, he’s responded with averages of 11.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game while keeping turnovers low.

1. Shooting Confidence and Offensive Maturity

Demin’s recent production has been fueled by improved confidence and efficiency, especially as a shooter. Over his last three games, he’s shot 48% from the field and 47% from three-point range, providing an offensive boost to a Nets team searching for consistency. His composure as both a scorer and facilitator has allowed him to settle comfortably into the starting backcourt. Perhaps most encouraging is the development of his perimeter game — an area that drew scrutiny before the draft. Demin has emerged as one of the league’s most active rookie shooters, attempting 8.3 threes per 36 minutes, second only to Milwaukee’s Kon Kneuppel among first-year players with significant minutes. His 37.5% accuracy from deep ranks third among rookies with at least 40 attempts, a promising indicator of long-term potential. Early in the season, Demin hesitated to attack inside, failing to attempt a two-point shot in his first five appearances. That reluctance has faded. Over his past six games, he’s taken 13 two-pointers and made nearly half, signaling a growing willingness to challenge defenders off the dribble. “Everything comes with the reps,” Demin explained. “It’s about adjusting to new physicality and defensive schemes — understanding pick-and-roll coverages, the pressure, and how teams try to force mistakes. I’m more comfortable now because every possession teaches me something new.”

2. Adjusting to the NBA’s Speed and Space

As Demin continues his adjustment to the NBA, the differences between the college and professional levels have become increasingly clear. At BYU, he was a dominant pick-and-roll operator — running over 440 such possessions — but the spacing and physicality of the NBA have tested his ability to adapt that same success. Demin admitted that the “extra space” often discussed by rookies hasn’t felt as open in practice. “Coach [Kevin] Young told me there’d be more room, but everyone here is so big and quick,” he said. “They know how to guard both players at once. Even when you think someone is open, defenders recover instantly.” That recognition has forced Demin to evolve his reads and timing in real time. Against longer, faster defenders, he’s learning to anticipate help, disguise his passes, and balance scoring with facilitation. “You face defensive playmakers here,” he said. “It’s not just about offense — these guys play mind games on defense too.” The rookie’s growing understanding of defensive strategy has translated to better decision-making. While his scoring efficiency remains a work in progress inside the arc, his patience and creativity as a passer are already traits Brooklyn believes can anchor its offense in the years ahead.

3. A Long-Term Investment Beginning to Pay Off

For the Nets, Demin’s development represents more than short-term production — it’s a cornerstone for their rebuilding blueprint. After years of chasing stars and short-lived contention, Brooklyn has pivoted toward nurturing young talent. Selecting Demin, a playmaking guard with a high basketball IQ and international experience, was a deliberate investment in potential over polish. Demin’s early flashes suggest that approach may be paying off. His blend of size, vision, and emerging confidence as a shooter gives the Nets a versatile foundation piece capable of running an offense and creating for others. Though his lack of elite quickness limits his isolation scoring, his pick-and-roll playmaking and court awareness already fit Brooklyn’s system. Coach Fernández remains focused on consistency, noting that the next step for Demin is maintaining his aggressiveness while tightening his defense. “He’s doing everything we ask,” Fernández said. “Now it’s about doing it every night, learning from mistakes, and building habits.” As Brooklyn looks ahead to its next matchup against the Orlando Magic, Demin’s trajectory has become one of the team’s most encouraging storylines — a reminder that patience, development, and opportunity can still yield results in today’s fast-moving NBA.