BYU Player Profile: Egor Demin

We're living in an unprecedented era of boundless optimism for BYU basketball, and no incoming player better embodies that sentiment than Russian-born star Egor Demin (Ye-gor Dyo-min). Demin is a 6'9" guard from Real Madrid--the basketball club, of course--who only recently considered playing college basketball to prepare for the NBA rather than staying in Europe for one more season a la former member of Real Madrid, Luka Doncic.

New head coach Kevin Young jumped at the opportunity to recruit Demin, who is projected to be a lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. His blend of size and skill fits perfectly in the modern NBA where tall playmakers dominate the land. Young, of course, wasn't the only American coach who salivated at the prospects of securing Demin's commitment. Illinois came through the woodwork early, followed by John Calipari's Arkansas Razorbacks and the USC Trojans.

With an apparently excellent recruiting pitch from BYU's camp (and a ludicrous payday awaiting) Demin decided on BYU, receiving a promise from Coach Young that his program would prepare Demin to rocket himself into the NBA following a season in Provo.

With Demin committed, BYU has obtained the highest-rated prospect in program history. Sure, go ahead and do a little happy dance. Since Shawn Bradley, the Cougars haven't seen a projected lottery pick don "Brigham Young" on his uniform as a one-and-done prospect, and he arrived during a significant hinge point in the BYU hoops program.

So, with that history class concluded, let's shift our focus to current events. Who is Egor Demin, who is he not, and what will he bring to the table at BYU?

Luka-like?

The first thing many will notice about Demin is his frame. Standing 6 feet and 9 inches with a wingspan just shy of 7 feet, you'd expect Egor to be a promising forward. As a guard, Demin stands out.

Many have looked at Demin and made the lazy comparison of the Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic. Comparing a white guard from Real Madrid to another would typically be a lazy take, and you'd be feeling my wrath for uttering it if it didn't carry some merit. To be a gifted playmaker and talented scorer at his size is rare, and any comparison to an NBA MVP candidate is welcome for aspiring NBA-level talent.

At only 18 years of age, Doncic earned MVP honors from the Euroleague--which is a legitimate basketball league where most teams could pound the best college teams. We don't tolerate Euroleague slander in this dojo. Demin has been suiting up for Real Madrid's U18 squad and didn't win MVP awards, but his potential has undeniably flashed throughout his time with the club.

Both tall guards with control of the offense comparable to the Pinocchio-wielding Stromboli (Geppeto was the creator, not the puppeteer. Don't you dare forget it), Doncic and Demin have never been the bounciest athlete on the court, but defenses respect them from everywhere. In Demin's case, college basketball will have to adapt to the Russian's wide array of offensive weapons.

Spider Psycho

In the criminally underappreciated Andrew Garfield Spider-Man films, Peter Parker spun a web to run surveillance on the New York City sewer system, which was highly effective. Real-world spiders employ a similar strategy when capturing their prey, sitting in the center of their geometrically woven web and listening carefully to the vibrations of their silky net.

Aside from his spindly frame, Demin's offensive game is likewise arachnoid. Methodically plotting and patiently listening for a defender to get caught in his trap. With a deceptively quick first step and elite court vision, every movement sets the offense in motion, every second drawing closer to a successful offensive trip.

If his defender isn't set, Demin flies past him. When a teammate flashes to the basket, Demin knows when the passing window will open. If the defense is bold enough to give the BYU commit any space from beyond the arc, he'll splash a 3-ball right over the top. Deadly accuracy and a venomous bite await opposing defenses.

NBA-Ready?

Sadly for Cougar fans, Demin's plans don't include a 4-year term in Young's system. His sights are set on the NBA, and rightfully so. Early 2025 NBA Draft projections slate Demin as a lottery selection, and he won't hesitate to take that leap when given the chance. Coach Young's desired status quo is for his players to use BYU as a launchpad to the NBA. In other words, it may be best if you avoid getting attached to seeing players with NBA aspirations stay in Provo.

But is Demin ready for the highest level of basketball? While I believe he is ready to make that next step, understanding that every player has room for improvement is necessary when building Coach Young's direct line to the league.

Clips of Demin running pickup games with NBA players over the summer have circulated online. Of course, anyone can cherry-pick favorable clips while leaving out any mistakes, but Demin looked comfortable and steady as he ran the floor and operated within the offense. His playmaking ability is already NBA-level, and his shooting stroke should translate perfectly.

Demin's biggest concern is fortunately his most correctable defect. His greatest weakness is... well, his physical weakness. Of course, taller, longer players take longer to fill out their frame, and Demin's body is a far cry from puny, but to match the NBA's physicality, he'll need to add some muscle in this season with the Cougars.

On the defensive end, Demin has shown glimmers of good instincts. Using his wingspan, he's able to self-correct his course should he fall a step behind a driving ball-handler, capable of erasing a layup attempt. We'll need to see more from him on the defensive end to be a plus-defender, but the modern NBA game doesn't always necessitate elite defense when your offensive game makes up the difference.

Demin represents the new era of BYU basketball. As the team is currently constructed, Demin should be the offense's focal point, though point guard responsibilities may still lie with the retained Dallin Hall. BYU has plenty of offensive weapons for Demin to use at his disposal, and defensive grinders like Richie Saunders and Rutgers transfer Mawot Mag covering his six.

Demin's goal is the NBA, and BYU is here to help him reach it. Despite this fact, Demin's inclusion in the BYU program will certainly make for highly entertaining hoops under the roof at the Marriott Center. Who wouldn't love that?

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