Egor Demin Nears NBA Dream Amid Political Turmoil With Home Country
Egor Demin Nears NBA Dream Amid Political Turmoil With Home Country originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
In three weeks, former BYU point guard Egor Demin is expected to hear his name called in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. But as the 19-year-old prepares for the life-changing moment at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, controversy looms from his home country of Russia.
Advertisement
On Tuesday, The Moscow Times reported that Russia's Ministry of Justice added Brigham Young University to its list of 'undesirable' organizations. The rare designation carries criminal penalties for any Russian nationals affiliated with such groups. Under Russian law, this could put Demin at legal risk if he returns to home.
Despite the news, Demin remains closely tied to BYU. The Moscow Times report left BYU faculty stunned, including Jeff Hardy, a professor specializing in Soviet history. 'Complete shock,' Hardy told Sam Foster of BYU's Universe Sports. 'This appeared to come out of nowhere."
Experts speculate the blacklisting may be linked to a February panel at BYU titled 'Russia as a Global Threat,' hosted by a U.S. State Department official. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which sponsors BYU, was not named on the list, according to the report from Foster.
The Russian government has not explained why BYU was blacklisted, and the school has not released an official response.
Advertisement
Related: Big 12 Official Makes Final Decision on Controversial Penalty From BYU-Utah
On the court, Demin's NBA stock is trending upward. Many NBA Draft analysts have said that Demin 'looked great' during the NBA Combine and may be peaking at the right time. Demin, who helped lead BYU to the Sweet 16, is praised for his rare size and elite passing but must prove his shooting can be consistent.
Despite political tensions, Demin continues to publicly embrace BYU. He still lists '@byumbb' in his Instagram bio and has expressed intentions to finish his degree with the university in the future. During an April interview, he said, 'I was coming here with faith, and I am leaving with a bigger faith.'
Related: BYU Officials Send Clear Message About Jake Retzlaff's Future in Provo
While his path to the NBA is set, what lies ahead in his relationship with Russia remains uncertain. Whether Commissioner Adam Silver utters 'BYU' on draft night may hold more significance than anyone expected.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
ESPN's Windhorst: Rockets ‘definitely still in race' for Kevin Durant trade
The Miami Heat and Houston Rockets appear to be the only two NBA teams who are both on Kevin Durant's list of desired destinations and actively engaged with the Phoenix Suns to get such a deal done. And between those two, longtime league insider Brian Windhorst thinks it's Houston that could be the most compelling basketball fit. While the terms of a potential deal remain unknown, financial analysis from Rockets Wire suggests a package headlined by Jalen Green or a combination of Dillon Brooks and either Jabari Smith Jr. or Reed Sheppard as the most likely starting point. Advertisement Draft equity and further matching salaries would likely be a component, as well. Phoenix is reportedly underwhelmed by the current offer, though negotiations are ongoing. In a Wednesday appearance on ESPN's Get Up, Windhorst offered this update: I think he's got Miami on there because he's attracted by the city and Pat Riley. It's certainly not the team. So, let's put them aside. Let's look at Houston and San Antonio. He would be the No. 1 offensive option on those two teams. I don't know about best player, and I don't know if that's what he's looking for at age 37. But he certainly would join those two teams and make them way more dynamic offensively. Particularly Houston, who is an elite defensive team that had difficulty getting isolation and individual scoring. He certainly believes, by looking at those two teams, that he can be a very high-level member of a contending team. So, I'm going to listen to what he says there. That's why I think Houston especially has got their eyebrow up. I'm not sure they're willing to pay a massive price for a 37-year-old when most of the rest of their team is in its early-to-mid 20s, but I think Houston should definitely be considered still in this race. Especially if Minnesota doesn't close. Potential trade suitors not on that preferred-destination list (such as the Timberwolves, who Windhorst identified) are reportedly not bidding aggressively without a change in the All-Star forward's stance. Since Durant's current contract expires after next season, his choice to sign (or not sign) an extension carries significant weight in these talks, since many teams won't risk surrendering significant asset capital if they might lose him as an unrestricted free agent a year later. Advertisement With that in mind, it appears that could make the Rockets and Heat frontrunners for Durant's services, assuming the Suns remain committed to trading him. A deal is reportedly possible at any time. To Windhorst's point, Houston finished 52-30 and No. 2 in the Western Conference last season, while Miami went 37-45 in the East. Thus, from a purely short-term basketball perspective, the Rockets would seemingly give Durant a better opportunity to compete at the highest level over whatever remains of his prime NBA years. More: Report: Rockets have 'firm offer' to trade for Kevin Durant, but Suns are underwhelmed This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: ESPN's Windhorst: Rockets 'definitely still in race' for Kevin Durant
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Arizona Republic: Rockets ‘ideal trade destination' for Kevin Durant
The Houston Rockets are the 'ideal landing spot' in a trade for Phoenix star Kevin Durant, an NBA source told Suns beat writer Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. 'A league source informed The Republic the Rockets would be the ideal landing spot for Durant, saying they need a 'go-to guy' in the fourth quarter and have draft picks and young players to offer the Suns in return,' Rankin writes. Advertisement The story continues: Rockets coach Ime Udoka has a relationship with Durant. Udoka was an assistant in Brooklyn in the 2020-21 season when Durant was with the Nets. Durant is also close friends with Rockets assistant Royal Ivey. They both played at the University of Texas and were teammates at Oklahoma City. Confirming recent reports, Rankin notes that a Durant trade is expected to take place in the coming days. Among many ties to Houston and the state of Texas, Durant is also linked to Jeff Green, who played with the Rockets in each of the previous two seasons. For four seasons at the start of their NBA careers, Durant and Green were teammates in Seattle and Oklahoma City. More: Shams: Rockets, Heat, Timberwolves leading Kevin Durant trade pursuit This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Arizona Republic: Rockets 'ideal trade destination' for Kevin Durant
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Report: Rockets have ‘firm offer' to trade for Kevin Durant, but Suns are underwhelmed
The Rockets continue to have a 'firm offer' to trade for Suns star Kevin Durant, but Phoenix continues to be underwhelmed with Houston's current valuation of the All-Star forward, per Kelly Iko of The Athletic. There has yet to be a clear indication of what that offer specifically entails, though Rockets Wire explored the financial possibilities last week. According to The Athletic's Iko, Sam Amick, and Jon Krawczynski, the Suns are also relatively uninspired by their options involving the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat — the other two teams on Durant's list of preferred destinations. Advertisement Reports have indicated that the Timberwolves could perhaps bid closer to the Suns' liking, with established players such as Rudy Gobert and Donte DiVincenzo a part of the package. But, to no surprise, The Athletic's report indicates that Minnesota 'does not want to make a seismic change to a roster that advanced to the Western Conference finals, if Durant is not on board with the move.' With Durant having only one season left on his current contract, surrendering significant value in a trade for a player who is unwilling to extend and could leave for no compensation in 2026 free agency would be very risky. So, in effect, it's a standoff. The Suns are waiting out Durant, in hopes that he eventually expands his list of desired teams. Durant and the Rockets (and perhaps the Spurs and Heat, as well) are waiting out the Suns, in hopes that Phoenix eventually accepts a lower offer. Time will tell as to which side wins out, but the first round of the 2025 NBA draft is next Wednesday, June 25 — and the Suns would undoubtedly prefer to have a deal finalized by that time so that they can make a selection, themselves, for any draft asset they might obtain. Advertisement Furthermore, with Durant turning 37 years old in September, there wouldn't seem to be much value upside to waiting — unless Phoenix is potentially open to rejecting all trade offers (if deemed unsatisfactory) and bringing Durant back into its fold for the 2025-26 season. To this point, there have been no indications of that being a viable scenario. So, for the time being, it seems both Durant and the Suns are waiting out the other. Teams such as the Rockets are awaiting the outcome. More: Arizona Republic: Rockets 'ideal trade destination' for Kevin Durant This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Report: Rockets have 'firm offer' to trade for Suns star Kevin Durant
