Folks underestimated Egor Demin’s 3-point ball. We all did.
The Brooklyn Nets rookie came out of BYU shooting around 27% from beyond the arc. Scouts said it was his weakness.
Now the No. 8 overall pick is showing off his shooting acumen. He’s developed a high-arcing, net-snapping shot from distance. It’s a deadly mortar artillery shot. He’s a catch-and-launch machine.
Who’d have thought that back in April 2024?
What many didn’t understand about Demin was his infatigable work ethic, his iron mindset, unique athleticism and confidence.
Now he’s the talk of the NBA, breaking franchise records for a rookie, keeping the Nets in games and displaying an almost perfect rhythm and form from distance.
Demin is averaging just over 10 points a game on a split of 40/38/84 for field goal percentage, 3-point percentage and free-throw accuracy. He’s averaging 3.5 assists and 3.4 rebounds, second among rookies in made 3s, trailing only Kon Knueppel. His accuracy has skyrocketed in January.
Since Dec. 24, 2025, he’s averaging 29 minutes, 15.7 points a game, and almost identical 44% from the field and 3-point land.
Demin is 10 of 13 (76.9%) from 3 in the final 10 minutes of games within 5 points, which is the second-highest 3-point percentage in the record-keeping era (since 1996-97) with more than 10 attempts in those situations. Only Malcolm Brogdon (15 of 18 for 88.3%) is higher.
“To think about what Demin might look like three years from now, five years from now, could be terrifying. He legitimately might be one of the best players in the league with his ability,” NBA reporter Billy Reinhardt quipped on the "Noceilings NBA Show" this past week.
“And that’s the thing we look for, guys with elite skillsets and his elite ability to read and scan and to pass the ball. I think he’s going to be able to leverage that a lot. And as he continues to work on other facets of his game, you can’t help but be excited … Brooklyn, I really agree with this pick, but also I really agree with how they’re developing him.”
Here are some quick numbers from Demin of late:
- Jan. 9 vs. Clippers — scored 19 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the field, 5 for 10 from 3 (led the Nets in scoring despite the loss; praised for diversifying his shot selection beyond just 3s).
- Jan. 7 vs. Magic — scored 18 points on 5-for-9 shooting (5 for 8 from 3), including clutch shots to force OT and lead in OT; first rookie since Kevin Durant in 2008 to hit two go-ahead/tie 3s in final 30 seconds of fourth/OT; set franchise OT 3-point record with 3.
- Dec. 29 vs. Warriors — Broke Nets’ rookie single-game record with seven 3s (7 for 14 from deep).
- Jan. 4 vs. Nuggets — scored an efficient 13 points on 3 for 5 from 3-point line.
In his last stretch, he’s been hitting over 50% from deep in several games, with a hot run of 53.8% over four games (21 for 39 from 3).
The Russian is simply silencing his critics like a wet blanket.
Demin told Jimmer Fredette on his “From the Logo” podcast that his emphasis on his weakness has paid off, starting in the summer, working with Nets coach Jordi Fernandez.
“It was the biggest focus of the summer, focusing on my weaknesses. I worked a lot on my 3-point shot. A lot.” He also credited BYU’s coaching staff, especially Kevin Young, for allowing him to shoot from distance for the Cougars despite missing a lot of them.
Indeed, Demin took a lot of guff in predraft circles. A lot of it was earned and legit. Some of it was brutal and cut deep.
But this is a kid known for his attitude. He oozes confidence, but is humble enough to take criticism and turn it around.
He needs to improve his strength and play better defense. As he matures and continues to work on weight training and agility, that should come.
Look at the leap in his game in just half a year since leaving BYU. It’s been remarkable.
It’s also kind of sealing the pitch BYU’s Young is making to prospects he wants to lure to Provo — that its PROvo.
The kid went from being a talented project to a legitimate NBA sniper.
Now there’s plenty of talk about being the best 3-point shooter from the 2025 draft, making a higher percentage than Duke’s Cooper Flagg. If Flagg, the No. 1, stays healthy and keeps performing, it would be hard for him not to get Rookie of the Year. But Demin is definitely in the discussion.
For those who’ve been around him and gotten to know his personality, this couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
The early chapters are still being written.
