Imagine a 19-year-old NBA rookie shattering expectations in the most unexpected way – but not through the brute force you'd anticipate from a giant like him. That's the captivating puzzle of Egor Dëmin, where progress feels anything but straightforward, especially for someone too young to even order a beer legally. Let's dive into his story and unpack why his journey is both inspiring and puzzling.
At Brigham Young University (BYU), Egor Dëmin stood out as a 6-foot-9-inch anomaly, a towering figure who baffled defenders with his rare blend of height and nimble ball-handling skills. For context, think of a basketball player who combines the reach of a center with the quick feet of a guard – that's a mismatch that can dominate college courts. In fact, he holds the record as the tallest guard ever measured at the NBA Combine since they started tracking heights back in 2000, as detailed in a deep dive on The Swish Theory (https://theswishtheory.com/2025-nba-draft-articles/2025/07/the-case-for-egor-demin/).
But the NBA isn't college, and it's a league packed with elite physical specimens, meaning Egor is still far from dominating at this higher level. As a rookie, he's been surprisingly reluctant to drive to the basket, boasting the lowest rate of two-point shot attempts on the Brooklyn Nets (https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1642856). In a recent defeat to the Golden State Warriors, he didn't take a single shot inside the paint and turned the ball over twice in the crucial fourth quarter, costing his team dearly.
His coach, Jordi Fernandez, echoed the high hopes everyone has for him: 'He has high expectations for himself and I’m gonna say the same. I want more paint touches. I want more assists. I want more physicality in both ends. He’s gonna try to do his best. That’s a good thing about our young guys.' It's clear the team believes in his potential, but the reality on the court tells a different tale so far.
And this is the part most people miss – or perhaps find most intriguing. Despite his youth, Egor's faltered in areas where scouts predicted he'd shine, yet he's excelled in a skill that raised the biggest doubts before the draft.
Suddenly, he's become a sharpshooter – and we're talking elite level. This season, he's sunk 62 three-pointers, ranking second among all NBA rookies, and he's doing it at an impressive 36.5% accuracy. Against the Warriors, he drained seven long-range bombs, smashing a franchise record for rookies in a single game.
At this clip, he's projected to hit around 170 threes by season's end, surpassing the Nets' rookie record held by Kerry Kittles from the 1996–97 season. This shooting surge is astonishing, especially since he shot nearly 10% worse from three-point range in college at BYU, where he managed just 27.1% on 4.7 attempts per game (https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/egor-demin-1.html), compared to his current 6.1 attempts per outing.
But here's where it gets controversial – how did a player once questioned for his shooting transform so drastically? A plantar fascia injury sidelined him all summer, forcing him to hone his craft from a chair. Picture this: instead of running drills or lifting weights, he focused intensely on rhythm, mechanics, and building muscle memory through stationary shooting practice. That forced break became a valuable reset, as explored in a Nets Daily feature (https://www.netsdaily.com/nets-features-profiles/101800/the-painful-detour-that-transformed-egor-demins-rookie-season).
Egor himself credits this dedication: 'It comes from the summer work for sure. That was one of my biggest focuses. People were questioning my 3-point shot a lot, questioning if I would even shoot them. I’m lucky to have a really good coaching staff around me here that wants me to shoot any time I can.' It's a reminder that sometimes, setbacks can lead to breakthroughs – but does this mean he's neglecting other aspects of his game?
Now, the big question is how he'll integrate all his skills. As a rookie point guard, Egor's already committed to growth, adding over 10 pounds of muscle since the draft to better handle the NBA's physical demands. He's also shown remarkable patience and self-reflection, qualities that suggest he's poised to unlock his full promise.
'I’m much more comfortable, for sure,' he shared. 'Mentally I’m understanding the game better. And just adjusting to the game, growing the right way. Being able to spend as much time on the court as Jordi’s giving me, it’s an honor.'
After showcasing his raw talent – along with some inevitable rookie errors – in that Warriors game, Nets veteran Nic Claxton chimed in with encouragement for the No. 8 overall pick: 'It was a big confidence builder for him. He hit some really big shots for us. Obviously, there’s still a lot of errors where he can learn from. But the sky’s the limit for him and he’ll keep getting better.'
It might require a couple of off-seasons and some bumps along the road, but Egor has the tools to succeed. And remember, at just 19, he's got time on his side – out of the 540 players in the NBA, a whopping 529 are older than him.
But let's stir the pot a bit: Is Egor's shooting improvement a sign of genuine evolution, or just a fluke that distracts from his struggles in other areas? Some might argue he's better off as a specialist sniper rather than a well-rounded guard. What do you think – will he become a future All-Star, or is this early hype doomed to fade? Do you agree that his age gives him an edge, or could it hold him back? Share your opinions in the comments and let's debate!
