Brooklyn Nets rookie Egor Demin is heading into All-Star Weekend with a chance to make some noise - and he’s doing it as part of Team Vince, coached by the high-flying legend himself, Vince Carter. The Rising Stars event is always a showcase for the league’s next generation, and this year’s format once again pits four stacked squads against each other in a mini-tournament. Demin and Team Vince are one of those four, and while they might not be the consensus favorite, they’ve got a real shot at taking the whole thing.
Brooklyn’s lone representative at All-Star Weekend, Demin will be suiting up alongside fellow rookies and young talents like VJ Edgecombe of the Sixers and Derik Queen of the Pelicans. It’s a group with a lot to prove - and maybe even more to gain. While the spotlight might not be as bright as the main event on Sunday, this is the kind of stage where young players can make a name for themselves.
Before the draft for the Rising Stars teams, the early buzz had Team Melo - led by top overall pick Cooper Flagg and reigning Kia Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle - as the team to beat. And honestly, on paper, that made a lot of sense.
Flagg has been electric this season, and Castle’s already shown he can compete at a high level. But the reality of these showcase games is that availability can shift the balance just as much as talent.
Injuries have taken a toll across the board, and that’s where Team Vince might have a bit of an edge. While every other squad has dealt with roster shakeups, Team Vince had remained mostly intact - until recently.
Memphis forward Cedric Coward was ruled out with right knee soreness, forcing a late change. San Antonio’s Carter Bryant was brought in as a replacement, stepping in just hours before tip-off at Intuit Dome.
That last-minute swap aside, Team Vince is still the most stable group heading into Friday night’s action, and that continuity could be a real advantage in a short tournament format. Chemistry matters, even in an exhibition setting, and having more time to build it could pay off.
Meanwhile, Team Melo took a significant hit with the loss of Cooper Flagg, who’s dealing with a foot sprain. That absence changes the dynamic considerably.
Without Flagg, the team loses not just a top-tier scoring option, but also a key presence on both ends of the floor. It’s a big blow for a squad that many, including NBA.com writers Steve Aschburner and John Schuhmann, had pegged as the frontrunner.
Shaun Powell, another NBA.com analyst, cast his vote for Team T-Mac (coached by Tracy McGrady), while the fourth team in the mix - Team Austin, made up of G League talent - remains the wild card.
But predictions aside, this is the kind of event where anything can happen. It’s one night, one shot, and for players like Demin, it’s the perfect opportunity to show what they’ve got on a national stage. He’s already turned heads in Brooklyn with his poise and versatility, and now he gets to share the court with some of the league’s brightest young stars.
Whether or not Team Vince pulls off the win, this is a chance for Demin to continue building his profile - and maybe help his squad steal the show in the process. Don’t count them out.