Brooklyn Nets rookie guard Egor Demin has been under a microscope since he came into the 2025-26 NBA season as the eighth overall pick from the 2025 NBA Draft. Brooklyn has been trying to figure out what they have at the point guard spot and while head coach Jordi Fernandez has been tinkering with the lineup, it seems like Demin has earned the right to close games.
“It means everything. That’s how I can build on my confidence even more. Understanding that the coaching staff is believing in me and believing in all of us, I think this is where we can get even more power and even more energy to play as hard as we can,” Demin said after Friday’s 113-105 NBA Cup win at the Boston Celtics. Unlike Tuesday’s loss to the Celtics, Demin was able to play down the stretch due to how well he played.
“It got pretty quiet so I didn’t feel that energy as much, obviously, because we’re not home. But, I think just in general, means a lot for me,” Demin continued while speaking on hitting a huge three-pointer in the fourth quarter. “For the first time on that court and being able to be having a chance to hit the three like that at the end of the game, with that crowd in that moment of the game, felt really good, honestly.”
Demin, 19, had a rough start to this season as he was trying to figure out how to play as an NBA point guard, but since that rough patch, he has discovered how he can play for the Nets the way that he did at BYU, Demin, who is averaging 7.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 38.9% from the field and 38.8% from three-point land, still has flaws in his game that he has to iron out over time.
However, if Demin is able to compose himself enough to play the way that he did against the Celtics, as shown by his 12 points, six rebounds, and five assists, Brooklyn could have something. After beating the undermanned Indiana Pacers and rebuilding Washington Wizards earlier this season, the Nets have shown that they can compete with a fringe playoff team and Demin is one of the reasons why when he’s on his A game.