Report: Nets expressing 'particular' interest in BYU G Egor Demin

USA Today

4 hours ago

The Brooklyn Nets have five picks to use in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft that begins on Wednesday at Barclays Center, the home of the Nets. Brooklyn may not use all of their picks to take players in this class, but they are closing in on players they're interested in, including a player with some upside.
"We've heard consistent buzz that he is drawing particular interest from Brooklyn," NBA insider Jake Fischer wrote (h/t Rookie Wire's Cody Taylor) in his article for The Stein Line while explaining why BYU guard Egor Demin seems to be underrated. Demin's college coach, former NBA assistant Kevin Young, had some praise for his former player as Demin looks to take his game to next level, potentially to the Nets.
"Many front offices appear intrigued by the talent that complements Demin's lengthy frame," Fischer continued while relaying what most front offices think of Demin. "It is no stretch to say that he is the highest-rated NBA Draft prospect with Real Madrid in his background since a certain Doncic."
Demin, 19, is one of the more interesting prospects in the draft given the way that he could fit multiple positions because of his size and potential shooting ability. Demin, listed at 6-foot-8 and 200 pounds, is coming off a 2024-25 season in which the Russian averaged 10.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 41.2% from the field and 27.3% from three-point land.
"Egor Demin will earn consideration from late-lottery teams that buy the playmaking and are willing to bet on his shooting development," Jonathan Wasserman wrote of Demin in his latest mock draft for Bleacher Report. Wasserman has being taken by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 17th overall pick in the draft, two picks before the Nets could potentially take him.
At the moment, it seems that Demin's main appeal to teams is his ability to make plays for himself and others along with his ability to use his size to get to the rim against his defender. Demin's shooting is a work-in-progress, but if he is able to make significant improvements in that department, he could be the kind of steal that Brooklyn is hoping for.