Latest news with #Demin
USA Today
18 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Report: Nets expressing 'particular' interest in BYU G Egor Demin
The Brooklyn Nets have five picks to use in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft that begins on Wednesday at Barclays Center, the home of the Nets. Brooklyn may not use all of their picks to take players in this class, but they are closing in on players they're interested in, including a player with some upside. "We've heard consistent buzz that he is drawing particular interest from Brooklyn," NBA insider Jake Fischer wrote (h/t Rookie Wire's Cody Taylor) in his article for The Stein Line while explaining why BYU guard Egor Demin seems to be underrated. Demin's college coach, former NBA assistant Kevin Young, had some praise for his former player as Demin looks to take his game to next level, potentially to the Nets. "Many front offices appear intrigued by the talent that complements Demin's lengthy frame," Fischer continued while relaying what most front offices think of Demin. "It is no stretch to say that he is the highest-rated NBA Draft prospect with Real Madrid in his background since a certain Doncic." Demin, 19, is one of the more interesting prospects in the draft given the way that he could fit multiple positions because of his size and potential shooting ability. Demin, listed at 6-foot-8 and 200 pounds, is coming off a 2024-25 season in which the Russian averaged 10.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 41.2% from the field and 27.3% from three-point land. "Egor Demin will earn consideration from late-lottery teams that buy the playmaking and are willing to bet on his shooting development," Jonathan Wasserman wrote of Demin in his latest mock draft for Bleacher Report. Wasserman has being taken by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 17th overall pick in the draft, two picks before the Nets could potentially take him. At the moment, it seems that Demin's main appeal to teams is his ability to make plays for himself and others along with his ability to use his size to get to the rim against his defender. Demin's shooting is a work-in-progress, but if he is able to make significant improvements in that department, he could be the kind of steal that Brooklyn is hoping for.
USA Today
20 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Report: Former BYU star Egor Demin drawing interest from Nets ahead of 2025 NBA draft
Former BYU point guard Egor Demin is reportedly drawing interest from the Brooklyn Nets ahead of the 2025 NBA draft, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line on Substack. Demin was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team, averaging 10.6 points, 5.5 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals on 41.2% shooting from the field in 33 games. He finished in double figures 19 times, including a season-high 20 points, seven assists and rebounds on Nov. 8. The 6-foot-9 Russian is high on several teams' draft boards and has worked out in front of executives drafting in the 5-15 range, including the Nets, who are on the clock with the ninth pick. We've heard consistent buzz that he is drawing particular interest from Brooklyn. Many front offices appear intrigued by the talent that complements Demin's lengthy frame. It is no stretch to say that he is the highest-rated NBA Draft prospect with Real Madrid in his background since a certain Luka Dončić. Demin became the first five-star recruit to commit to BYU after playing for the Real Madrid youth team over the previous two seasons. He dazzled as a playmaker, ranking third in the conference in assists after setting the freshman program record (180). The 19-year-old is considered a potential lottery pick, drawing intrigue from teams for his size, ballhandling and scoring ability. He has also conducted workouts with Utah (No. 5), Washington (No. 6), New Orleans (No. 7) and Toronto (No. 9), among others. Demin has a relatively wide draft range and could land with several different teams. He projects to have a bright future ahead and should help his next squad for several years.
Time Business News
3 days ago
- Business
- Time Business News
How College Basketball Regained Its Place as the Top NBA Development Option
For a time, college basketball's role in the NBA's developmental ecosystem seemed to be slipping. As elite prospects increasingly chose alternative paths — including international leagues, the G League Ignite, and the upstart Overtime Elite — traditional college programs appeared to be losing their grip on the NBA talent pipeline. But in 2025, the trend is shifting again. College basketball is not only back — it's reasserting itself as the premier launching pad for future NBA stars. A powerful example of this resurgence is the journey of BYU standout Demin, a 6-foot-9 guard projected to be a lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. Demin's decision to commit to BYU, despite never having visited the campus, raised eyebrows. But his trust in the vision laid out by BYU head coach Kevin Young — a former NBA assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns — has proven wise. Young's pitch to Demin was simple but bold: join a system at BYU that mirrors the NBA in style, preparation, and support. 'It's everything,' Young told ESPN. 'It's style of play. It's how we work out. It's who works them out. It's what they eat, who tells them what to eat.' It wasn't just talk. BYU's 2024-25 season culminated in its first Sweet 16 appearance in over a decade — a statement year not just for the program, but for the college model as a whole. For NBA scouts and executives, it provided a high-stakes platform to evaluate talent like Demin, who proved he could lead and thrive under a system built for professional growth. Of course, it's not just about systems and coaching. The rise of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities has dramatically changed the equation for elite players. Demin reportedly received an NIL package worth over $1 million — a level of compensation that not only rivals but often surpasses what young players can earn in alternative leagues. This combination of NBA-ready infrastructure and substantial financial incentives is making college basketball the most attractive option again. For players like Demin, it's the best of both worlds: professional-level development in a competitive, nationally visible environment — with the added benefit of life-changing compensation. Between 2015 and 2022, college players routinely made up the vast majority of NBA lottery picks — averaging 12 of the top 14 selections, according to ESPN Research. But that dominance declined in 2023 and 2024, when alternative paths produced a growing share of lottery talent. Yet in 2025, college basketball is bouncing back. ESPN now projects 12 college players in this year's lottery — tying the second-highest mark since 2015. It's a clear sign that, after years of experimentation with other pathways, the traditional NCAA route is once again being recognized as the most effective and stable road to the NBA. Demin's own words capture why this resurgence matters. 'College basketball is a better adjustment to American basketball since the final goal is to be an NBA player for me,' he said. 'I think it was a better, more clear path.' He's not alone in that belief. A growing number of elite prospects now see college as the smart move — one that combines exposure, elite coaching, NBA-style systems, and the financial support to focus fully on development. In short, college basketball didn't just survive the era of professional alternatives. It adapted — and in doing so, it may have reclaimed its role as the top NBA development option for the next generation of stars. TheSportsRoar is your go-to destination for comprehensive sports coverage — from NCAA basketball to NBA draft insights, and everything in between. Stay tuned for more deep dives, player features, and draft breakdowns as we continue to roar with the stories that matter most to sports fans. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
A look at guards who could be available for the Miami Heat at No. 20 in the 2025 NBA Draft
With next week's NBA Draft just days away, it's time to take a closer look at the options the Miami Heat will have with the 20th pick in the first round. The Miami Herald's three-part NBA Draft preview begins with a look at the guards who are expected to be selected in the Heat's range. The guard candidates include Florida's Walter Clayton Jr., BYU's Egor Demin, Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis, Michigan State's Jase Richardson and French prospect Nolan Traore. Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe, Tre Johnson and Jeremiah Fears are widely considered the best guards in the 2025 draft class, and they will almost definitely be selected before it's Miami's turn to pick if it doesn't trade up. The first round of the NBA Draft is Wednesday, June 25 and the second round is June 26. The Heat currently doesn't have a pick in the second round of this year's draft, but NBA teams can buy and sell second-round selections. It's important to note that the Heat is permitted to trade the 20th pick before the upcoming draft because it also owns its pick in next year's draft. WHAT TO KNOW While it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see any of these five guards drop to the Heat, it seems like most mock drafts project Demin and Jakucionis to be taken ahead of Miami's selection at No. 20. Demin, who was born and raised in Russia, is a 19-year-old 6-foot-8 guard who is considered to be one of the best passers in this year's draft class. He averaged 10.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 41.2% from the field as a freshman at BYU last season. The question is can Demin improve as an outside shooter, as he shot just 27.3% on 4.7 three-point attempts per game and 69.5% at the foul line during his lone season at BYU. If Demin can become a respectable outside shooter at the NBA level, he could end up as one of the top players in this year's draft class. Jakucionis (6-foot-5 and 205 pounds) who grew up in Lithuania, just turned 19 in May. He averaged 15 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game while shooting 44% from the field and 31.8% from three-point range as a freshman at Illinois last season. Jakucionis is a skilled player who checks a lot of boxes on offense end, as he's an excellent playmaker, has the potential to be a quality outside shooter and has a knack for drawing fouls as an attacker. One of the biggest questions surrounding Jakucionis is whether his lack of elite athleticism limits his upside at the NBA level. According to The Athletic, Jakucionis had zero half-court dunks at Illinois last season. The other three guard candidates on the list are more realistic options for the Heat at No. 20. Clayton (6-foot-2 and 199 pounds) is an older prospect at 22 years old, but he seemingly played his way into the first round by leading the Florida Gators to the NCAA championship last season. He averaged 18.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 44.8% from the field and 38.6% on 7.8 three-point attempts per game as a senior at Florida. Clayton's shot-making is what makes him such an intriguing prospect, as he could end up being a spark-plug bench scorer in the NBA. While Clayton's defense and size could be seen as shortcomings, the fact that he's one of the top shooters in this year's draft class can't be overlooked. He's a standout catch-and-shoot and pull-up three-point shooter. Richardson (6-foot-1 and 178 pounds) is the son of former NBA player Jason Richardson and has Miami ties. He spent his senior high school season at Columbus High School in Miami before moving on to Michigan State, where his father also played. Richardson averaged 12.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 49.3% from the field and 41.2% on 3.2 three-point attempts per game as a freshman at Michigan State last season. Richardson, who turns 20 in October, has the skill set to become a scoring guard at the NBA level but will have to overcome the fact that he's a small guard. Traore is a French prospect who's 19 years old and brings great measurements at 6-foot-3 with a 6-foot-8 wingspan. He averaged 12 points and five assists in the French League and in the Basketball Champions League last season as an 18-year-old. Traore is a skilled passer and has the skill set to be an above-average defender at the NBA level with his length. But like many draft prospects, Traore will need to get better as an outside shooter to reach his full potential. WHAT ARE OTHERS SAYING? ESPN's latest mock draft has Jakucionis (11th to Portland Trail Blazers), Demin (13th to Atlanta Hawks) and Richardson (16th to Memphis Grizzlies) being picked before the Heat's turn at No. 20. The Ringer's latest mock draft has Jakucionis (10th to Houston Rockets) and Demin (14th to San Antonio Spurs) being selected before the Heat's pick at No. 20. But the Ringer does project the Heat to take Traore with the 20th overall pick. 'Traore's stock seemingly has been in free fall from the moment he lit up the Nike Hoop Summit in April 2024,' The Ringer wrote as part of the outlet's mock draft that has Traore going to the Heat. 'He was projected as a drink-stirring lead guard who could use his speed and wiggliness to create advantages with the ball in his hands, but aside from a recent surge for Saint-Quentin, there hasn't been enough reliably efficient scoring. Miami has a history of taking disappointing performers with major pedigree and instilling confidence in them. Is there a huge difference between Traore and someone like Jeremiah Fears, who's projected to go much higher? Several NBA decision makers don't think so. Maybe Miami is among that group, too.' The Athletic's latest mock draft, which was updated in mid-May, has Clayton going to the Heat at No. 20. 'He got better this year as a senior but wasn't always reliable throughout his college career,' The Athletic's Sam Vecenie wrote as part of his mock draft that has Clayton going to Miami. 'That's concerning for an older, undersized player. Still, teams love Clayton's toughness, and I would expect to hear his name called in the first round.'
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Report: BYU's Egor Demin invited to green room at NBA draft
Former BYU guard Egor Demin was one of 13 NBA draft hopefuls who received a green-room invite for this year's event, ESPN's Jonathan Givony reported Tuesday afternoon. Along with Demin, the other 12 invitees include Duke's Cooper Flagg, the projected top overall draft pick, as well as Rutgers' Ace Bailey, Arizona's Carter Bryant, Baylor's VJ Edgecombe, Oklahoma's Jeremiah Fears, Rutgers' Dylan Harper, Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis, Texas' Tre Johnson, Duke's Kon Knueppel, Duke's Khaman Maluach, Georgia's Asa Newell and Maryland's Derik Queen. Another 11 green-room invites will also be extended, according to Givony, before the draft. This year's NBA draft is taking place June 25 and 26 at the Barclays Center in New York City. The first round will begin at 6 p.m. MDT on June 25 and be televised on ESPN. The green room at the NBA draft is an area in front of the podium where players, their families and agents follow the draft's proceedings. Typically, an invite to the green room is viewed as a positive sign that a prospect is likely to be taken in the first round. It's not a guarantee, though. Last year, Johnny Furphy and Kyle Filipowski were included among the first 20 invites, but they both fell to the second round. Filipowski was drafted by the Utah Jazz with the 32nd overall pick. 'The process of deciding whom to invite to the NBA draft involves communication with the presidents or general managers of teams that pick throughout the first round,' Givony wrote. 'Teams are asked to vote on the top 25 players they expect to hear their names called first. This is to ensure players aren't sitting for very long before a national television audience.' Demin, a native of Russia, played one season at BYU before declaring for the NBA draft. The 19-year-old point guard, who is viewed as a potential draft lottery pick, averaged 10.6 points, 5.5 assists and 3.9 rebounds during his lone season playing for the Cougars. He helped BYU reach the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2011. One of his primary weaknesses heading into draft preparations was Demin's shooting — he shot 41.6% from the floor at BYU, as well as 27.3% from 3-point range. Demin showed improvement in that area at the NBA combine. The last time BYU had a player selected in the NBA draft was in 2011, when guard Jimmer Fredette was taken by Milwaukee Bucks with the 10th overall pick in the first round and shipped to the Sacramento Kings in a draft-day trade.
