Sometimes, progress doesn’t announce itself with a poster dunk or a viral highlight. Sometimes it just shows up in the box score, in the rhythm of the offense, or in the quiet confidence of a 19-year-old who’s figuring it out faster than anyone expected. That’s where Egor Dëmin is right now - and the Brooklyn Nets have every reason to feel good about the bet they made on him.
Let’s rewind to draft night. The chatter around Dëmin was loud - and not always flattering.
Questions about his jumper dominated the conversation. He had the size, the vision, the defensive instincts, but could he shoot it well enough to stick in today’s NBA?
Fast forward to now, and Dëmin is answering that question with every pull-up three and catch-and-shoot dagger. He’s knocking down 39.6% from beyond the arc - and that’s not a small sample of garbage-time threes.
It’s the kind of production that holds up under the weight of real minutes and real expectations.
When he plays 30 or more minutes, Dëmin’s averaging 16.7 points per game. That’s not just a stat - it’s a signal.
It tells us that when the Nets give him runway, he doesn’t just survive. He thrives.
He’s averaging 10.8 points overall, but the efficiency and the poise have been even more impressive than the raw numbers. This isn’t a rookie who’s just trying to find his footing.
This is a young player who’s already carving out a role - and looking like he belongs.
And now, he’s headed to All-Star Weekend, representing Team Vince in the Rising Stars game. It’s a well-earned nod and another step in what’s shaping up to be a breakout season. For a Nets team that’s been searching for long-term building blocks, Dëmin is emerging as a legitimate piece of the puzzle.
There’s still plenty of room for growth - that’s the exciting part. But what we’ve seen so far?
It’s more than just a flash. It’s the foundation of something real.