BYU Guard Egor Demin Declares for NBA Draft
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Egor Demin gave BYU fans some hope, but the heralded freshman will leave BYU after one season in Provo and declare for the NBA Draft. ESPN's Jonathan Givony was the first to report the news. Two sources confirmed the news to me yesterday. Egor will hold a press conference at 10am MT. *Update* Egor announced in the press conference that he has declared for the draft.
Advertisement
A 5-star player in the 2024 recruiting class, Demin has been unanimously pegged as a first round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and a lottery pick by many pundits. Egor struggled at times during his freshman year, but he was one of BYU's top players as a freshman and a huge part of BYU's Sweet 16 run. For the season, Egor averaged 10.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.5 assists. He scored 15 points in BYU's first round win over VCU; nearly had a triple double with 11 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and just one turnover versus Wisconsin to lead BYU to the Sweet 16; and versus Alabama had 15 points and 7 assists.
Egor struggled at times with turnovers and shot 27% from three, but NBA spacing should work in Egor's favor and have GMs see the immense upside that could propel him to the lottery.
With Egor gone, point guard now becomes BYU's top priority to fill this offseason. I'll have a follow up article with some names that I'm watching.
More from vanquishthefoe.com:
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
"LeBron has no chance to win another trophy so now they don't matter" - Colin Cowherd rips LeBron James for his take on NBA ring culture
"LeBron has no chance to win another trophy so now they don't matter" - Colin Cowherd rips LeBron James for his take on NBA ring culture originally appeared on Basketball Network. Even though LeBron James isn't competing in the NBA Finals this season, he still managed to grab headlines when he discussed the league's infatuation with ring culture, stressing that the lack of NBA championships shouldn't diminish the accomplishments of the sport's all-time greats like Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing and Karl Malone. Advertisement Many analysts have pushed back against the narrative James is trying to promote. Among them is Colin Cowherd, who contends that a team's lack of championship prospects — like the Los Angeles Lakers' current situation — shouldn't diminish the importance of titles when evaluating a player's greatness. The NBA's ring culture For many, the number of championships an NBA superstar has won is the ultimate measure of success. Players like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are often praised for their multiple title runs, while others who have yet to win a title are considered "less than" in the eyes of fans and analysts. However, James recently argued on the "Mind The Game" podcast that this mindset is flawed, especially since basketball is a team sport wherein individual players cannot single-handedly win championships. Advertisement Several all-time greats had incredible careers but were never able to capture an NBA title. Does this mean they should be disregarded when discussing the greatest players in NBA history? "I don't know why it's discussed so much in our sport and why it's the end-all-be-all of everything," LeBron, who has won four championships in his 22-year career, said. "You tell me Allen Iverson, Charles Barkley and Steve Nash weren't f**king unbelievable? They can't be talked about with these guys because they won rings?" However, Cowherd countered on his show that nobody is actually saying that those players weren't amazing players. However, there's a reason why they aren't discussed with the same reverence as champions. "The reason is the trophies," Colin emphasized. "And LeBron knows that." Advertisement Related: When Rick Fox turned down a $33 million deal from Boston only to take a million from the Lakers: "I bet on myself" A lackluster Lakers team Although LeBron has yet to officially declare what his plans are for his player option worth $52.6 million, many expect him to return to the Purple and Gold and play in his 23rd NBA season. Unfortunately for him, his team has far too many holes to fill to become a championship contender. Cowherd feels that's what prompted James to criticize the ring culture. "LeBron has no chance to win a trophy with the current Laker roster," he said. "So now they don't matter. He spent his entire career pursuing titles. You think he went to Miami to land the beach? He went there for Riley and Spoelstra and a better owner and a better roster. He didn't go West. He stayed in the weak East to keep getting to finals. LeBron pursued finals." Advertisement For years, James has pursued the ghost of Jordan, who went six-for-six in the NBA Finals. He went from one team to another, trying to add to his championship total. After winning the title in the Orlando Bubble in 2020, the farthest LeBron and the Lakers have come is the Western Conference finals in 2023. This season, they nabbed the third seed in the West but fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. "So back when he knew he had a chance to win several more, the ring mattered. Because he was still back then like, 'Hey, can he surpass Michael and get to six, seven, eight?'" Cowherd stated. "Now he can't. Now, rings don't matter." James' resume speaks for itself. With numerous championships, countless entries in the league's record books and a longevity that has now spanned over two decades, it's clear that he is one of the greatest players to ever grace the hardwood. However, when all is said and done, he cannot escape the fact that he's two titles short of Jordan's six. Related: "They are going to have to start to paying guys" - Doc Rivers breaks down why OKC won't be able to keep this team together This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
"He never ever allowed Air Jordan to enter into the locker room" - BJ Armstrong said Michael Jordan was very different behind the scenes
"He never ever allowed Air Jordan to enter into the locker room" - BJ Armstrong said Michael Jordan was very different behind the scenes originally appeared on Basketball Network. BJ Armstrong spent six memorable seasons alongside Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. During which he had the unique opportunity to observe not just Jordan's relentless pursuit of excellence as a player, but also his role as the face of the NBA. Advertisement Throughout this period, Armstrong noted that MJ's ambition extended beyond just winning championships and collecting accolades. It was about becoming the best version of himself both on and off the court. Despite the immense popularity and the spotlight that followed Jordan, Armstrong revealed that Mike consistently shied away from embracing the fame that came with being a superstar. He noted that amidst all the attention and success, His Airness maintained a remarkable humility, never allowing his teammates to feel inferior or as if he were on a pedestal far above them. "The character, the Air Jordan figure that he created, was something that I think he did because, truthfully, he wasn't fully comfortable being a star," BJ said of Jordan in a piece he wrote for Sky Sports in 2022. "I don't know that for sure, but his ability was so ridiculously incredible that he had to create something which allowed him to cope with it." "One of the things that's always I found interesting about him is that on a deep level, I don't think he ever wanted to be a star," he further revealed. Advertisement "I don't ever think it's occurred to him to say, 'I'm playing the game so I can be this transcendent superstar.' It was more like something that he knew he had to tolerate and put up with," Armstrong wondered. "It didn't enter into the equation of the real reasons why he wanted to play, but I think he understood that it was part of what was going to come with the territory when he made the commitment to be the very best version of himself." Armstrong continued. "I think it was so incredibly simple to him that he never even thought twice about it because he never ever allowed Air Jordan to enter into the locker room or a conversation." Jordan knew Air Jordan had to exist Armstrong is also certain that Jordan's perception of his own superstardom was distinctly different from that of other elite NBA players of his caliber. Unlike those who bask in the glow of their popularity, MJ viewed his status through a unique lens. Advertisement For him, being a global icon was not just about personal glory and financial success. Instead, Jordan saw his brand and image as integral components of his responsibilities as a professional athlete. Nothing more, nothing less. Armstrong emphasized that Jordan approached his stature with a sense of duty. He believed that projecting a strong public persona was essential, not for him but for the fans who admired him and the organization that supported him. As he looked back on those years, Armstrong reflected that Jordan's admirable perspective allowed him to maintain a level of authenticity, as he never felt the need to engage in this portrayal for his own validation. By separating his public image from his personal identity, MJ was able to focus on what truly mattered: his performance on the court and his commitment to winning. Advertisement "I think he recognized that persona and he understood the business of what that person meant to the league, to the team, to the fans, to nearly everyone except those of us working closest to him," Armstrong reflected. Related: "When you start endangering people's health, it's taking away from the beauty of the game" - Michael Jordan criticized how the Pistons and the Knicks played the game Not all Bulls players knew who MJ the person was As a reliable point guard, Armstrong played a pivotal role in helping the Bulls win their first three NBA championships. Understandably, he considers this remarkable chapter of his career not only the pinnacle of his achievements as a player but also as a unique opportunity to develop a deep connection with Jordan both on and off the court. Advertisement For BJ, being part of that legendary Bulls squad was a stroke of luck, as it enabled him to truly understand who MJ was beyond the public persona. In the process, Armstrong truly appreciated Jordan's skills, drive, dedication to the game, and, most importantly, his character. As time passed by, Jordan morphed into an iconic figure not only in the NBA but in the world of sports. With that in mind, Armstrong believes that those who joined the Bulls in the team's second three-peat only knew "Air Jordan," the biggest name in the game, but not Mike the person. "The [players on the first title teams] got to know Michael, the person," Armstrong once said, per ESPN. "The new guys never got to know that person. They only knew the Air Jordan character. He jumped in and started playing, so they couldn't develop that relationship. Scottie [Pippen] knew that and knew he had to manage the other guys." All told, it's quite fascinating to discover that the way Jordan approached his fame fostered a sense of unity and teamwork. By constantly doing so, he laid the foundation of one the league's greatest dynasties and proved that even the most talented players can remain grounded while striving for greatness. Advertisement Related: "Michael was wrong" - Scottie Pippen feels the Chicago Bulls won in spite of Michael Jordan's leadership style This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
"I don't like him, and he don't like me" - Stephen A. Smith opens about his feud with LeBron James
"I don't like him, and he don't like me" - Stephen A. Smith opens about his feud with LeBron James originally appeared on Basketball Network. Stephen A. Smith's feud with LeBron James has been well-documented. The ESPN analyst has been vocal about it, especially on his shows, but he's still trying to remain objective when discussing the superstar forward. Advertisement "I have nothing to say about that," Smith said in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine's Danyel Smith. "I don't like him, and he don't like me. He's one of the greatest players who's ever lived. I'm going to show him that respect, and I'm going to cover him objectively. When he does great, I'm gonna applaud. When he doesn't do great, I'm not gonna applaud." LeBron hiding behind Bronny? The feud culminated during the Los Angeles Lakers-New York Knicks game at Arena on March 6. James approached Smith during a quarter break, and the two exchanged words. According to the latter, the Lakers superstar told him to keep his son, Bronny, out of his incendiary commentary, which mainly revolved around the younger James' perceived unreadiness to play in the big league. "That was LeBron James coming up to me, unexpectedly, I might add, to confront me about making sure that I mind what I say about his son," Smith said introspectively on "First Take." "Can't repeat the words because they ain't suited for FCC airwaves. That's what he was doing… That wasn't a basketball player confronting me; that was a father." Advertisement Smith clarified that he wasn't rooting against Bronny but criticizing the Lakers superstar for putting his son in a position he wasn't ready for. The veteran analyst eventually softened his stance on James. Jr, after the latter's career-high performance against the Milwaukee Bucks. That changed his tone, though not the core of his critique. In hindsight, though, Smith believed the issue went deeper than just his commentary about Bronny. "He hid behind his son," he said, "tried to make something out of nothing, as if I was dogging his son, which I was not. The real issue was we don't like each other. And he used that as an excuse to confront me. I got it." Advertisement It was a sentiment Smith had already expressed two weeks after the original incident. He's long been critical of the four-time MVP and has consistently ranked Michael Jordan ahead of him in the GOAT debate. James simply waited for Smith to say something about Bronny and used it to pull him aside in front of thousands in the arena. Related: "LeBron has no chance to win another trophy so now they don't matter" - Colin Cowherd rips LeBron James for his take on NBA ring culture Stephen A. vows to keep it fair Despite the friction between them, the veteran journalist made it clear that personal feelings would not undermine his work. Advertisement "We're never gonna like each other. It's not gonna stop me from doing my job," Smith further told Rolling Stone. "He'll be treated just like any other player I cover. Nobody is going to get me to compromise my professional integrity. I don't have to like you to be fair to you." Over the years, Smith has clashed with countless athletes, including Terrell Owens, Kwame Brown and Ja Morant. He stood on business, insisting that criticism comes with the territory when you're constantly in the spotlight. With LeBron, it's no different. The respect is there, but so is the scrutiny, regardless of how personal things feel. Stephen A. won't always get it right, but then again, he won't play it safe, either. Related: Stephen A. says Giannis Antetokounmpo will be an underachiever if he does not win another title: "That's not acceptable" This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
