Brooklyn Nets rookie guard Egor Demin stepped onto the NBA stage this season with plenty of questions surrounding his game. By the time the final buzzer sounded on his debut campaign, he had delivered answers that left fans and coaches alike taking notice. The 20-year-old not only earned a spot in the starting lineup but also gave the Nets a reliable backcourt presence throughout the year.
During his end-of-season exit interview in April, Demin was asked to pinpoint the area where he grew the most. Rather than narrowing it down to a single skill, he took a broader view. "I think it's hard to reflect on something exact, something specific because it's been a growth overall: as a person, as a basketball player, as an athlete… it was a new situation for me," he explained. For a rookie adjusting to the pace and pressure of the NBA, that holistic development might be the most valuable takeaway of all.
The transition wasn't just about basketball. Demin opened up about the off-court adjustments that shaped his season. "Just coming to such a big city from Madrid [Spain] where I didn't have that much of an open space for me to operate in the city. Being in Provo [Utah], it's a little bit different too," he shared. "From a college experience coming to New York as a professional basketball player with a lot of responsibilities, it's been a lot of growth in that part, I believe."
On the stat sheet, Demin's numbers tell a story of steady improvement. He averaged 10.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, shooting 39.9% from the field and an impressive 38.5% from beyond the arc. That three-point percentage is especially noteworthy. Before the draft—where he was selected eighth overall in 2025—analysts questioned whether his shooting would translate to the pro level. During his lone season at BYU, he connected on just 27.3% of his long-range attempts. This year, he flipped the script entirely.
Demin's growth wasn't limited to shooting. He showcased versatility that made him a valuable asset, sliding between point guard and off-ball guard roles as needed. Once he fully recovers from the plantar fasciitis in his left foot, the young guard will be eager to expand his game even further. For Nets fans, that's an exciting thought—and a reminder that sometimes the biggest leaps come from within.