The Brooklyn Nets head coach has a new plan for the prized rookie draft pick as the season continues.
The Brooklyn Nets continue to watch flashes of the potential Egor Demin possesses.
He's shown impressive shooting in front of head coach Jordi Fernandez. Demin has developed strong court cohesion with Michael Porter Jr. nightly.
Yet Fernandez unveiled a "push" he'll make for the first-year star moving forward.
"Just to push him to be outside his comfort zone," Fernández said to reporters after taking the loss to the Dallas Mavericks. "We all know how easy it is for him to shoot the ball, how easy it is for him to pass over the top and see the floor, and now you got to get uncomfortable and work on those other things, and he's willing to do it, and he's willing to try."
Fernandez still believes a lot of work must be done moving forward.
"I think right now, trying it and game reps, it's pretty tough, and he also does a good job getting the extra work, and I think the summer is going to be even bigger," Fernandez said.
But the head coach is witnessing the fearlessness Demin plays with. Including showing zero hesitation to cut inside while facing larger framed defenders.
"He got in the paint, I think, more times than he's ever gotten in the paint, which is positive," Fernández said. "I know, late in the game, I think they did a really good job defensively, especially. You have Nickeil [Alexander-Walker], and you have Dyson Daniels in front of you, so those are high-level defenders."
Did Fernandez still liked what he saw out of one of his first round selections of 2025?
"But I was happy the way he cut to the rim," Fernandez said.
The head coach is taking a liking to the growth. But again, there will be a "push" moving forward from the head coach and his assistants to maximize Demin.
"We're seeing positive steps, he's getting there, he's working at it, and I think a summer of work is like the most important thing," Fernandez said.
Demin settled for only three points but grabbed five rebounds and dished two assists. He's averaging 10.5 points per game through 25.2 minutes on the floor.
Now there's the thought of Cam Boozer of Duke possibly joining him after dominating No. 1 Michigan on Saturday. But overall, Demin already faces a big June through August per Fernandez's words.
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