Demin, a likely lottery pick, will be head coach Kevin Young’s first one-and-done player.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) BYU basketball player Egor Demin arrives for the announcement of his plans to enter the NBA Draft, where he would likely be a first-round pick in June, during a news event in Provo on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
BYU fans had their hopes up.
Could their star point guard come back to Provo for one more season?
But Egor Demin will enter the NBA Draft this summer after seriously considering a return for his sophomore season.
The possibility of playing alongside the No. 1 recruit in the country, AJ Dybantsa, and chasing the Cougars’ first Final Four appearance intrigued Demin. He also liked living at BYU and playing in head coach Kevin Young’s program.
He once joked with Young that he could play 10 years at BYU. But in reality, it will only be one.
“It was super hard to choose what I wanted to do,” Demin said Tuesday. “BYU was pulling me back. My heart was pulling me back here. Super hard because I love this place so much. Everybody here means everything to me.”
Financial implications of Demin’s NBA decision
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) BYU basketball player Egor Demin, signs a few jerseys for a Russian organization called God Ball, after announcing his plans to enter the NBA Draft, where he would likely be a first-round pick in June, during a news event in Provo on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
Passing up a spot in the NBA draft lottery, though, was too much to give up. Demin, who came out of Moscow, Russia, and played for Real Madrid’s youth academy, is projected to be picked anywhere from Nos. 9 to 15. Some have him sliding down to 18.
That comes with a hefty payday. The 10th pick is set to make around $5 million next year and $5.2 million the year after. Even if he fell to 18, he’d still make around $3.3 million as a rookie.
Every first-round draft pick makes at least $2 million in year one and over $2.5 million by the third year of the rookie contract. Players also start their clock earlier for a second contract. Demin just turned 19 years old.
His parents “were trying to figure out what the best situation was for me,” Demin said. “It was stressful days and weeks. They were checking mock drafts every day, I think.”
Where will Egor Demin be drafted?
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) BYU basketball player Egor Demin arrives for the announcement of his plans to enter the NBA Draft, where he would likely be a first-round pick in June, during a news event in Provo on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
Speaking of mock drafts, CBS Sports’ Kyle Boone has Demin going No. 9 to Chicago. Adam Finkelstein, also at CBS, has Dallas taking him at No. 12. Gary Parrish has him at No. 13 to Atlanta.
Sports Illustrated has Demin at No. 17 to the Timberwolves and The Ringer has him at 15.
Alabama forward Grant Nelson (4) drives against Brigham Young guard Egor Demin (3) during the second half of a Sweet 16 round NCAA college basketball tournament game, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
“Demin is the Three-Eyed Raven of this draft—he sees everything at all times. He is the most talented all-around passer in the draft,” The Ringer wrote.
What Demin needs to improve to thrive in the NBA
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) BYU basketball player Egor Demin, alongside former BYU player Travis Hansen, left, and his coach Kevin Young, announces his plans to enter the NBA Draft, where he would likely be a first-round pick in June, during a news event in Provo on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
Young, who coached in the NBA before coming to Provo, believes Demin’s passing will immediately translate. He averaged over 5 assists and over 10 points a night.
He needs to add weight and be a higher percentage three-point shooter. He shot just 27% from three this year — although that improved over the last month of the season.
“He didn’t shoot a great percentage, but he’s a good shooter,” Young said. “He’ll be able to get even higher quality looks in the NBA, because you’ve got superstars that you’re playing next to who are going to generate wide open shots. He’ll be able to knock down those looks at a high clip. I definitely believe in that.”
Demin has already added 16 pounds to his frame this year and tacked on multiple extra shooting workouts a day. BYU assistant coach Tim Fanning, who runs the offense along with Young, was up at 7 a.m. almost every day working on Demin’s shot. It helped unlock his scoring as BYU made a Sweet 16 run.
“I am closing one chapter here but I am not leaving you guys here,” Demin said. “I am taking you with me the whole way through my career and my life. I am willing to represent the BYU logo and name everywhere I go. Anything I am doing, it comes with you too.”