Despite record-breaking playmaking and elite perimeter shooting, Brooklyn’s versatile freshman standout narrowly missed the cut, finishing as the top point guard snub after a historic debut campaign.
After making an NBA-record five first round picks last season, former BYU point guard Egor Demin seems like the most promising player from the Brooklyn Nets' 2025 class.
Prior to getting injured, Demin averaged 10.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game, while starting in 45 of the 52 games he appeared in.
While this was a solid rookie campaign, Demin missed the cut for All-Rookie teams, earning just two second-team votes.
Demin was the first point guard left off the teams, finishing behind New Orleans Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears and San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper.
The 6-foot-8 lead guard was the first of Brooklyn's quintet of first rounders last season, being taken No. 8 overall after a stellar freshman season with the Cougars.
His 5.5 assists per game and 180 total assists on the season were program-best marks for a freshman at BYU. Demin also became the second player in Big 12 history to record 10 or more points and 10 or more assists in his debut, joining Oklahoma's Trae Young.
Demin's playmaking ability had many calling him the best passer in the draft. When asked about these claims, Demin said, "I believe in basketball as a creative place. It’s like art for me. I want to play beautiful, I want to play pretty, I wanna play efficient."
"It’s about making the right decision, which I’m always trying to do."
After a slow start to his NBA career, Demin turned it on after the All-Star Break, looking much more comfortable as a scorer and 3-point shooter.
Demin, who shot just 27.3-percent from beyond the arc in college, displayed a high-level of consistency from deep, shooting over 38-percent with Brooklyn.
Demin's 38.5-percent clip is the highest 3-point field goal percentage by a qualified rookie in Nets history. His highest 3-point output came back in late December against the Golden State Warriors, exploding for seven makes from distance, also a Nets rookie record.
One week later, Demin caught fire trailing against the Orlando Magic, making five 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and overtime to lead a storming comeback.
Unfortunately, the Nets fell on a Paolo Banchero buzzer-beater three in the extra period, but Demin delivered haymaker after haymaker with his difficult makes from deep.v
Despite missing out on an All-Rookie designation, Demin showed potential as an NBA-caliber lead guard.
With continued development and additional backcourt scoring likely being supplemented with the Nets No. 6 overall pick, Demin could have a big season in year 2.
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