Egor Demin’s summer run gave the Nets plenty to like.
After a rookie season that flashed real shooting touch from NBA range before plantar fasciitis cut things short, Brooklyn wanted more from the guard this offseason. Demin delivered more, and then some, during the team’s stops in the California Classic and the Las Vegas Summer League.
In Sacramento, he came out swinging. Over two games in the California Classic, Demin put up 23.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 55.6% from the field and 26.7% from three in 25.1 minutes per night.
The numbers tell one part of the story; the way he played told the rest. Demin looked stronger, more willing to absorb contact, and more comfortable imposing himself physically on both ends of the floor.
That added muscle showed up in one especially clear way: he got to the line far more often. Last summer, Demin averaged 0.7 free-throw attempts per game. This summer, that number jumped to 4.5.
His scoring dipped a bit in Las Vegas, but the broader picture stayed encouraging. Playing alongside rookie guard Mikel Brown Jr., Demin showed he can do more than just hunt his own shot. He worked as an on-ball creator, scored as a play-finisher away from the ball, and kept his versatility on display throughout the event.
In the Las Vegas Summer League, Demin averaged 21.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.3 steals per game while shooting 42.6% from the floor and 30.0% from deep.
The three-point line wasn’t as kind to him this summer as it was during his rookie year, but the bigger takeaway is that Demin spent the offseason adding layers to his game. With a sophomore season ahead of him and more chances to develop around starting-caliber players, Brooklyn has reason to feel better about where he’s headed.
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