Egor Dëmin was named to the Castrol Rising Stars roster as a part of NBA All-Star 2026, turning into the primary member of the Nets to earn the glory since Jarrett Allen and Rodions Kurucs did it again in 2019. For a rookie class that arrived with extra questions than certainty, his choice stands out as a transparent sign that Brooklyn’s developmental push is beginning to get seen past its personal partitions.
Dëmin was one in every of 10 rookies chosen to the Rising Stars roster, a listing that largely mirrors the highest of the 2025 NBA Draft. Each top-10 decide was included besides Ace Bailey and Khaman Maluach, who have been edged out by Cedric Coward and Derik Queen. The omission didn’t uninteresting the that means for Brooklyn, although. Dëmin, taken eighth total out of BYU, has turned what was as soon as a debated decide into one of many quieter success tales of the rookie class.
By 39 video games, the 19-year-old guard has carved out a gradual beginning position, averaging 10.2 factors, 3.0 rebounds and three.4 assists in 24.6 minutes per night time. The effectivity has been simply as telling. He’s taking pictures 39.9% from the sphere, 39.6% from 3-point vary and 85.0% from the road, numbers which have chipped away at early skepticism about his offensive ceiling. He’s reached double figures 19 occasions already and has topped out at 23 factors on two separate nights.
“I think his ability to shoot the ball in the flow of the game has been impressive so far,” Nets head coach Jordi Fernández stated. “He can shoot off the catch or off the dribble. He can find the 3-point line for his teammates. His IQ is, I would say, high IQ. I think that there’s a lot of room to improve… To finish off of two feet on balance towards the rim, I think right there is where he makes the difference and takes the next step. Because I’ve seen him doing it and I’ve seen him not doing it, that’s what I can push him to do consistently. And I think that’s the next step for his game. Same as on defense.”
Dëmin’s manufacturing holds up when stacked in opposition to his friends. He sits second amongst rookies in each 3-pointers made per recreation at 2.4 and complete 3s with 95. He’s fourth in 3-point proportion, seventh in assists per recreation, eighth in complete assists and tenth in scoring. His means to area the ground whereas protecting the offense transferring has quietly separated him from the pack.
Traditionally, the taking pictures stands out much more. Dëmin is already one of the prolific 3-point taking pictures rookies the franchise has seen. On Dec. 29 in opposition to the Golden State Warriors, he drilled seven triples on 14 makes an attempt, setting a Nets rookie file for 3s in a single recreation. His 95 makes this season path solely Kerry Kittles on the group’s all-time rookie record. He additionally ranks sixth in franchise historical past amongst rookies in assists per recreation, one other marker of how rapidly he’s tailored to NBA tempo.
The playmaking, by his personal normal, continues to be a piece in progress. The reads are there, the anticipation and contact are apparent, however the physicality of the league has slowed a few of that down. That’s not a purple flag a lot as a reminder of the place he’s within the course of. As he provides power, the passing ought to come extra naturally and extra often as he will get higher at attacking the paint.
What’s already arrived is the taking pictures. Dëmin hasn’t simply survived on spot-up appears to be like. He’s creating his personal 3s off the bounce, getting into pictures with confidence and in doing so has largely erased the label of non-shooter that adopted him into the draft.
“I think that his length, his size for the position, I think the way he can handle the ball, his vision, his passing, I think he’s got a chance to be a really good player,” Bulls head coach Billy Donovan stated. “[The Nets] got some very good, young players, no question about it…. [He’s] got really good size for the position and good vision. I think the more those guys get a chance to play like they’re playing, [they’ll] get the chance to learn and grow in their identity, their style of play and how they’re trying to play.”
That arc is a part of what makes this Rising Stars nod matter for the Nets. On draft night time, Dëmin’s choice was questioned in some corners, framed as a attain or a bet. Half a season later, he’s headed to All-Star weekend with league-wide recognition for a rookie yr that has outpaced expectations. It’s a tangible reward for a participant who has leaned into improvement, and for a corporation that has made it a precedence.
The Rising Stars occasion itself will happen Friday, Feb. 13, at Intuit Dome, tipping off at 9 p.m. ET and airing on Peacock. The format incorporates a four-team mini-tournament with three video games. Vince Carter, Carmelo Anthony and Tracy McGrady will draft groups from a pool of 21 NBA rookies and sophomores Tuesday night time, with Austin Rivers serving because the honorary coach for the G League group.
For Dëmin, it’s a showcase. For Brooklyn, it’s proof that the work being carried out behind the scenes is beginning to resonate on an even bigger stage.
