The recent Las Vegas Summer League proved to be a pivotal showcase for Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Demin, offering an early glimpse into how his versatile skills might translate to the demanding NBA landscape. Observers keenly watched his inaugural professional action, anticipating how the highly-touted prospect would adapt his collegiate dominance to the next level.
Demin, selected as the eighth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, notably embraced a significantly different role during the Summer League compared to his tenure at BYU. Instead of operating primarily as a ball-dominant point guard, he transitioned into an effective off-ball contributor, a strategic adjustment that evidently impressed the Nets’ coaching staff.
According to reports, a Nets coach underscored this change, stating that Demin’s Summer League assignment was “WAY different than what we’re going to ask him to do in the regular season.” This intentional shift allowed the coaching staff to evaluate his adaptability and potential impact in a new, complementary role within the team’s offensive scheme.
During his college career at BYU, Demin commanded a substantial 24.9% usage rate, functioning as the primary decision-maker and playmaker for his team. In contrast, his three Summer League games saw his usage rate drop to 19.4%, as he efficiently shared ball-handling responsibilities with fellow rookies like Nolan Traore and Ben Saraf, demonstrating his willingness to adjust for team success.
Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of Demin’s Summer League performance was his exceptional three-point shooting. He converted an impressive 43.5% of his attempts from beyond the arc, a remarkable efficiency given his high volume of 7.7 three-point attempts per game. This strong showing quickly alleviated any prior concerns regarding the consistency of his jumpshot.
His proficiency as an off-ball shooter, coupled with his ability to space the floor, provides the Brooklyn Nets with a valuable asset as they construct their future roster. This unexpected display of shooting prowess from a player known primarily for his passing reinforces the positive outlook for his long-term development and integration into the NBA.
Ultimately, Egor Demin’s proactive embrace of a new role and his surprising efficiency in Las Vegas suggest a promising future with the Brooklyn Nets. His performance indicates that he is not only willing to adapt his game but also possesses the underlying skills to become a crucial off-ball contributor and a valuable piece for the team’s ambitions.
