Former BYU star Egor Dëmin returns to Utah for first time in his NBA career

Former BYU basketball player Egor Dëmin returns to Utah as the Brooklyn Nets take on the Utah Jazz in the Delta Center on Friday at 7:30 pm.

This will be the first time a BYU alum has played in the Delta Center as an NBA player since Elijah Bryant with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021.

Dëmin has proven himself on the court with 98 3-pointers made in 40 games. The rookie averages 10.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. He shoots 40.3% from the field and 39.7% from the 3-point line.

On Jan. 26, Dëmin was chosen to represent the Brooklyn Nets in the 2026 NBA Rising Stars Game. He is the first rookie from the Nets to be named a rising star since Rodions Kurucs in 2019. That game will take place in Los Angeles on Feb. 13.

Prior to his NBA debut, Dëmin shined during his time as at BYU. In the 2024-2025 season, the true-freshman averaged 10.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists per game. He was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team, the Honorable Mention All-Big 12, and Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Teams during the season.

With Dëmin as the starting point guard, BYU secured a spot in the Sweet Sixteen during the March Madness Tournament. This was the first time since 2011 that BYU had made it to the Sweet Sixteen.

Dëmin was drafted No. 8 in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. He was the first BYU basketball player to get drafted since Jimmer Fredette in 2011.

The most notable of Dëmin's NBA stats is the amount of 3-points made. He currently ranks second in 3-pointers made for his rookie class.

His ability to shoot 3s was evident in his performance against the Orlando Magic on Jan. 7, where he scored two clutch 3-point shots. One tied the game to take it to overtime and the other put the Nets up two points with three seconds left in overtime.

Dëmin marks the first of a new era for BYU basketball, with current BYU player AJ Dybansta projected to be a top draft pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.