Egor Demin has silenced doubts about his NBA capturing potential with a powerful efficiency in Las Vegas. That narrative is completed.
After the Nets noticed their 23-point lead shrink to at least one in Wednesday’s Summer season League recreation towards the Orlando Magic, the rookie guard, standing at 6-8, drained three 3-pointers within the last 2:36 — two from the correct nook and one in transition from the left wing — to safe their first Summer season League victory.
“Just happy for him,” Nets assistant Steve Hetzel instructed reporters in Vegas. “Those were big shots. He stepped in, took them and made them.”
Chosen No. 8 general within the 2025 NBA Draft, the 19-year-old delivered 14 factors, 5 rebounds and two steals, capturing 5-for-9 from the sphere and 4-for-8 from 3-point vary. Via three Summer season League appearances, he’s hitting 43.5% of his makes an attempt from distance, with 10 of his 11 made area objectives being treys.
Fellow rookie Danny Wolf led the crew with 18 factors, including six rebounds and 4 assists in 27 minutes of sturdy play.
Scouts had combined opinions on Demin’s capturing coming into the draft, given his 27.3% 3-point capturing throughout 33 video games at BYU, the place he struggled with open 3s and defensive strain. Nonetheless, on the NBA Mix in Chicago, his sturdy mechanics and lightning-quick launch in capturing drills sparked optimism about his potential.
Demin’s capturing is a vital swing ability for his NBA success, and he briefly eased considerations along with his Summer season League efficiency. Whereas his sizzling capturing could not instantly translate to NBA video games, his confidence and willingness to take photographs are promising.
A bigger pattern dimension is required, however Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez and his employees are possible inspired by Demin’s mechanics and early outcomes.
“First and foremost, the shot is better, it’s higher,” mentioned Tom Crean, former Georgia head coach and present ESPN analyst. “He wants to get his hand behind the ball; he’s doing a much better job of that. The issue is the guide hand. The guide hand is far too on top, and he’s got his hand on top of the ball where both thumbs should basically be in an intersection of shooting… When he gets that, he’ll be a much better shooter.”
Whereas Demin’s capturing has exceeded expectations, the elite playmaking that earned him a excessive first-round choice has but to completely emerge in Summer season League. He’s principally performed off-ball with few pick-and-roll possibilities as he adapts to the NBA’s physicality, averaging 1.3 assists towards three turnovers per recreation.
Regardless of Demin’s standout efficiency towards Orlando, he led the sport with six turnovers within the Nets’ victory. He’s showcased his capturing capability; now he should show he can run the present.
“It’s a big transition,” Demin instructed reporters in Vegas. “I need to get used to that, spend more time in practices handling the ball thanks to our guys who are not being selfish by not playing great defense against me. [My teammates] were guarding me in the practices, and it’s pretty hard. So, for me having these experiences, not just in the games, but in practice is huge.”
