Brooklyn Nets rookie Egor Demin showed up to All-Star Weekend with one goal: help Team Vince win the Rising Stars Challenge-and he delivered. As the Nets' lone representative in Indianapolis, Demin didn’t need to light up the box score to make his presence felt. He did exactly what his team needed, playing steady minutes and walking away with a championship in one of the NBA’s marquee All-Star events.
Team Vince, coached by Nets legend Vince Carter, took down Team T-Mac in the semifinals before edging out Team Melo in a tight championship game. Demin, starting for Team Vince, chipped in two points, two rebounds, and two assists in their 41-36 win over Team T-Mac. His stat line wasn’t flashy, but his composure and court awareness helped keep the offense moving and the team locked in.
The real spark came from Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe, who erupted for 17 points and five rebounds in the semifinal. Edgecombe was electric-slashing to the rim, knocking down shots, and setting the tone with his energy. His performance gave Team Vince the edge they needed to advance, and his momentum carried into the championship round.
In the final against Team Melo, it was a grind-it-out kind of game. Points were hard to come by, and every possession felt like it mattered.
Demin added another two points and two rebounds, staying consistent and playing within the flow of the game. Once again, it was Edgecombe who came through in the clutch.
He finished with six points and two rebounds, but his biggest moment came at the free-throw line. With the game hanging in the balance, Edgecombe calmly knocked down two free throws after drawing a foul from Portland center Donovan Clingan, sealing a 25-24 win and the Rising Stars title for Team Vince.
For Demin, this wasn’t about stuffing the stat sheet-it was about contributing to a winning effort on a big stage. As a rookie representing his franchise solo during All-Star Weekend, he held his own, started both games, and walked away with a trophy. That’s the kind of experience that can build confidence and momentum heading into the second half of the season.
It might not have been a headline-grabbing performance, but for Demin, being part of a championship team in a showcase like this is a win in every sense. The Rising Stars Challenge is about more than just numbers-it’s about showing you belong. And Demin did exactly that.