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Nets’ Egor Demin Name Drops Luka Doncic During NBA Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated Jun 26, 2025 12:46 AM ET

The Brooklyn Nets came into Wednesday with five first-round picks, but they didn't trade up from No. 8. Instead, they drafted BYU guard Egor Demin at that slot.

The 19-year-old made the Big 12 All-Freshman Team with the Cougars this past season after averaging 10.6 points on 41.2 percent shooting (27.3 percent 3 PT) with 3.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.2 steals. He also had 2.9 turnovers, almost half of his assist average.

Demin also played for Real Madrid, just like Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic. The former mentioned the latter as well as reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as NBA players he wants to emulate, via ClutchPoints' Erik Slater.

“Big guards. The best players in the pick-and-roll on really high usage," he said. "They’re the heads of the snake. Being able to anticipate and really control the game with the ball in their hands.”

Gilgeous-Alexander also won the scoring title and the NBA Finals MVP this past season.

Asked Egor Demin which NBA players he wants to play like. His response:

Luka and SGA

“Big guards. The best players in the pick-and-roll on really high usage. They’re the heads of the snake. Being able to anticipate and really control the game with the ball in their hands.” pic.twitter.com/yE0pD4XMrG
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) June 26, 2025

Demin hails from Russia and represented the country at the 2021 FIBA U16 European Challengers tournament, where he averaged 21.1 points and 6.9 rebounds per 40 minutes. He possesses a unique skillset as a pass-first guard at 6-foot-9-inches.

Brooklyn also drafted French guard Nolan Traore at No. 19 overall, guard Ben Saraf out of Israel at No. 26, and Michigan forward Danny Wolf at No. 27. It also took North Carolina guard Drake Powell at No. 22, although the pick still officially belongs to the Atlanta Hawks until July 6. The team acquired that selection in Tuesday's Kristaps Porzingis trade.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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