Brooklyn Nets rookie Egor Demin recently concluded his inaugural NBA Summer League appearance in Las Vegas, an experience that diverged significantly from his prior collegiate role yet proved remarkably insightful for the franchise’s future planning. Many eyes were fixed on the young guard, observing how he would acclimate to his first taste of professional basketball, particularly after being selected as a high lottery pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft.

Unlike his tenure at BYU, where Demin operated primarily as a ball-dominant point guard, his assignment with the Brooklyn Nets in Summer League shifted dramatically to an off-ball contributor. This strategic adjustment was deliberate, designed by the coaching staff to explore Demin’s versatility and assess his potential fit within the team’s long-term vision, moving him away from primary playmaking duties.

A Nets coach, as reported by Spotrac, confirmed the drastic change in Demin’s role, stating, “Yeah, his role here (Summer League) was WAY different than what we’re going to ask him to do in the regular season.” This statement underscores the organizational intent behind the experiment and suggests that Demin’s Summer League performance provided valuable data for how the Brooklyn Nets envision his contributions in the competitive NBA landscape.

The statistical evidence clearly supports this role transformation. During his college basketball season, Demin posted a substantial 24.9% usage rate, reflecting his extensive responsibilities as the Cougars’ primary ball-handler and decision-maker. In stark contrast, his three Summer League games saw his usage rate drop to 19.4%, necessitated by sharing ball-handling duties with fellow rookies like Nolan Traore and Ben Saraf.

Perhaps the most encouraging takeaway from Demin’s off-ball performance was his unexpectedly efficient three-point shooting. Despite concerns about his jumpshot entering the NBA Draft, he demonstrated remarkable accuracy, hitting 43.5% of his attempts from beyond the arc. This efficiency was not on limited volume either, as he averaged a robust 7.7 three-point attempts per game, an impressive display for a player adjusting to a new offensive scheme.

This surprising proficiency from long range suggests that the pre-draft critiques regarding Demin’s shooting might have been overstated. His ability to knock down threes consistently, especially in a high-volume capacity, adds a crucial dimension to his game, positioning him as a viable perimeter threat and a potential “3-and-D” asset for the Nets moving forward.

The results from the Las Vegas Summer League indicate a promising future for Egor Demin within the NBA. His adaptability to an off-ball role, coupled with his surprising three-point prowess, has provided the Brooklyn Nets coaching staff with an optimistic blueprint for his development. This early showing suggests that Demin could evolve into a valuable complementary piece, significantly contributing to the team’s offensive spacing and defensive schemes in the coming seasons.