If Egor Demin decided to stay at BYU for his sophomore season, it would have been hard to blame him. The NIL money being thrown around in Provo is out of control. However, Demin did more than enough to generate buzz as a freshman, averaging 10.6 points, 5.5 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game for the Cougars. He also ran the show for a BYU team that ranked ninth in the nation in KenPom's adjusted offensive efficiency (124.1). Considering he's 6-foot-9 with a reported seven-foot wingspan, it isn't surprising he has fans in many NBA front offices. Realistically, there's a lot that Demin needs to work on to maximize his abilities as a professional. But players with his combination of size, ball-handling ability, and basketball IQ don't grow on trees. So while his freshman year definitely could have been better, his upside makes him worthy of a swing in the lottery.
Demin started the season shooting 46.8% from three through six games on 5.3 attempts per game. At that point, Demin looked like he would be in the mix to be the second player selected in the 2025 NBA Draft. One of Demin's biggest question marks coming into the season was his shooting. Despite having decent shot mechanics, the Russian was a shaky shooter during his time in the Real Madrid program. Demin's hot start to the season had people thinking he had put those struggles behind him. Ultimately, it was just a flash in the pan. Demin was in a nice groove as he faced inferior competition, but he ended up shooting just 27.3% from behind the three-point line on the season. He was also a combined 8-for-31 in the Big 12 Tournament and NCAA Tournament, which means he struggled in big spots—and in games against strong competition.
If Demin doesn't figure out the jumper, he's going to have a hard time living up to his potential. While his mechanics don't look bad, it's not a sure thing that he'll figure it out. Free throw shooting is usually a strong indicator of future long-range success, and Demin only shot 69.5% from the charity stripe at BYU. So there's really nothing you can point to that says he'll shake all of this off. Outside of the stroke passing the eye test, the only other thing that works in his favor is that he has a lot of room to get stronger. He's very thin and will surely add muscle to his frame. Once he does, perhaps shooting will become a little more effortless for him.
It'd be a shame if the jumper never develops. Demin is that special as a playmaker. He probably won't be mistaken for an explosive athlete, but his first step is rather quick, and that allows him to attack the basket. While Demin isn't a good enough finisher right now—that's another area where added strength will help—he can make some breathtaking passes off a live dribble. Demin can fling the ball around with one arm, making hook passes to open shooters or cutters that you never saw coming. He's also tremendous when it comes to manipulating defenses, whether that's by looking defenders off, going under the basket with Steve Nash-like probing, or really finding any way imaginable to create space for himself or his teammates.
One of the stories of the NBA playoffs has been the return of the big man, with a renewed focus on offensive rebounding. Perhaps that will have an impact on the draft. But front offices still love a big wing that can handle the basketball, and there aren't many who can do it like Demin. In fact, according to a Bart Torvik search query that dates back to the 2008 season, only Scottie Barnes and Demin can say that they're 6-foot-9 and had an assist rate of at least 30% in their freshman seasons. Considering Barnes recently inked a five-year, $224.9 million extension, it's hard to argue that isn't good company.
There's a realistic chance Demin ends up being one of the best offensive players in this class, especially if he lands in a situation where he'll get looks as a primary initiator. And if he doesn't, landing in a winning situation as a secondary initiator would work too. He just needs significant on-ball reps. With that and competent floor-spacing around him, he should end up making his next team happy.
It does, however, need to be noted that Demin is a pretty big minus on the defensive end. The Cougars couldn't get stops last year, and Demin wasn't innocent there. He struggled to defend quicker wings, got pushed around a bit by stronger forwards, and was guilty of falling asleep off the ball. However, it's hard to worry too much about Demin's defense, as he moves his feet well and has the type of length needed to defend multiple spots. So with some added muscle, good coaching, and a little extra seasoning, he should turn into a passable defender—at least in a team concept.
In the end, the jumper is the swing skill for Demin. If the 19-year-old ends up being a good off-the-dribble shooter, he's going to be a stud in the NBA. And even if he's just a good catch-and-shoot guy, he'll be a great offensive player. So while you're going to hear a lot about the defensive shortcomings before the draft, you should take it easy on him there. His best path to success is becoming a high-level offensive player who can be an engine—or secondary engine—for a top-10 offense in the league. If he becomes that—which is well within the realm of possibility—we won't care about who he can, or can't, guard.