Brooklyn Nets’ early expectations for Egor Demin underline questions over high NBA Draft pick

The Brooklyn Nets’ selection of BYU point guard Egor Demin with the eighth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft was, by most accounts, an immediate head-scratcher. While every draft class inevitably features a few surprises, the consensus around Demin was that he was a mid-to-late first-round talent, perhaps even a fringe lottery pick, but certainly not a top-ten prospect. As early impressions from team activities and informal evaluations begin to trickle out, the initial skepticism surrounding the Nets’ gamble only appears to be intensifying, casting a long shadow over both Demin’s nascent career and the Nets’ strategic vision.

Pre-draft scouting reports on Demin highlighted a promising, albeit raw, offensive skillset. His passing vision, particularly in transition, and his ability to operate the pick-and-roll with flashes of brilliance were evident during his collegiate tenure at BYU. However, these strengths were often accompanied by significant question marks concerning his consistent shooting mechanics, defensive intensity, and overall athleticism for an NBA-level point guard. Many analysts had players like UConn's Donovan Wright or Duke's Malik Jefferson ranked significantly higher, both of whom were still on the board when the Nets made their controversial decision. The prevailing sentiment was that Brooklyn bypassed more polished, higher-upside prospects to reach for a player whose development arc was, at best, uncertain and, at worst, considerably longer than expected for an eighth overall selection.