{"id":590147,"date":"2026-02-08T08:32:36","date_gmt":"2026-02-08T08:32:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/590147\/"},"modified":"2026-02-08T08:32:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-08T08:32:36","slug":"elder-rasband-meets-with-nba-and-former-byu-player-egor-demin-church-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/590147\/","title":{"rendered":"Elder Rasband meets with NBA and former BYU player Egor D\u00ebmin \u2013 Church News"},"content":{"rendered":"

While he was in Salt Lake City to play an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Jan. 30, Brooklyn Nets guard and former BYU basketball star Egor D\u00ebmin met with Elder Ronald A. Rasband<\/a> of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. <\/p>\n

In a social media post<\/a> on Feb. 5, D\u00ebmin shared a photo of himself standing with Elder and Sister Melanie Rasband and wrote, \u201cVery honored to meet Elder and Sister Rasband last weekend.\u201d He also thanked Travis Hansen<\/a>, BYU\u2019s senior associate athletic director, for arranging the meeting. <\/p>\n

In response, Elder Rasband wrote<\/a>: \u201cIt was so nice to meet with you. Melanie and I wish you success in all your endeavors.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was so nice to meet with you. Melanie and I wish you success in all your endeavors.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Ronald A. Rasband (@RonaldARasband) February 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Hansen is a close friend and mentor<\/a> of D\u00ebmin, who played at BYU<\/a> during the 2024-2025 season before he was selected 8th overall<\/a> by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2025 NBA Draft. Although not a member of the Church, D\u00ebmin has said he believes in God and had a faith-strengthening experience while at BYU, according to a Deseret News interview<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Hansen, a former BYU and NBA player<\/a>, wrote in his own social media post<\/a>, \u201cBigger than basketball. Proud of Egor D\u00ebmin and the values he represents. Thankful for Elder and Sister Rasband and the way they lift everyone around them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bigger than basketball.<\/p>\n

Proud of Egor Demin and the values he represents. \ud83e\udd0d<\/p>\n

Thankful for Elder and Sister Rasband and the way they lift everyone around them. https:\/\/t.co\/lEOm4kUvAT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Travis Hansen (@travishansen24) February 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Hansen also shared a photo of Elder Rasband and D\u00ebmin overlooking the Temple Square plaza, which features flags from 91 countries<\/a> and reflects the global nature of the Church. The flags are rotated on a regular basis to include those from across the globe. <\/p>\n

Hansen wrote<\/a> that Elder Rasband read from Isaiah 2:2<\/a>: \u201cAnd it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord\u2019s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.”<\/p>\n

Hansen continued: \u201cElder Rasband shared this scripture with Egor, and we watched it come alive \u2014 in a room overlooking the nations, a Russian flag flying, and a young man from Russia feeling loved and known. It was unforgettable.”<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord\u2019s house shall be established in the top of the mountains\u2026 and all nations shall flow unto it.\u201d \u2014 Isaiah 2:2<\/p>\n

Elder Rasband shared this scripture with Egor, and we watched it come alive\u2014in a room\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/utCV9fv55o<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Travis Hansen (@travishansen24) February 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

D\u00ebmin\u2019s visit to Utah ended on another high note as he scored a career-high 25 points with 10 rebounds in a 109-99 victory over the Utah Jazz. He also became the first NBA rookie to hit a 3-pointer in 34 consecutive games.<\/p>\n