Historical selection: Demin sets Russian record in the NBA Draft

Russian basketball player Egor Demin was selected in the NBA draft at the eighth pick in the first round, which became a record for our players. The defender goes to the Brooklyn Nets club, which was formerly owned by Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov. Even a superstar like Andrei Kirilenko, who went to Utah in 1999 at number 24, cannot boast of this. Another Russian— center Vlad Goldin, was not among those selected in the first round, contrary to forecasts, and will now accompany Viktor Lakhin in the second round.

Contrary to forecasts

"Nets fans, how are you? My name is Egor. I am grateful for the opportunity to be with you. I just realized that this is my home now," the 19-year-old native of Moscow wrote in his first message to Brooklyn fans.

Demin is a graduate of the Moscow school "Trint" and the academy of Real Madrid. The young Russian spent last season in the NCAA Collegiate League, playing for Brigham Young University (BYU). His stats averaged 10.6 points, 5.5 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 1.2 steals per game with 41% shooting from the game and 27.3% from beyond the arc. The eighth Peak's standard contract is for $31.3 million over four years, of which only $13 million is guaranteed. The first pick of the 2025 NBA draft went to Duke University's lightweight forward Cooper Flagg, selected by Dallas.

Previously, forward Yaroslav Korolev was chosen above all Russians in the NBA drafts, who went 12th to the Clippers. However, the career of this striker overseas did not go well. Yaroslav played 34 games in the North American League, averaging 1.1 points. This player stayed in Los Angeles for two unremarkable seasons, after which he tried his hand in Russia, Spain and again in the USA (but at the D-league level) - but nowhere did he confirm the status that promised him a high number in the draft.

Peak date: under which number will Egor Demin be selected in the NBA draft

For the first time in 12 years, a basketball player has appeared in Russia who can sign a three-year rookie contract with one of the best league clubs in the world.

The president of the Russian Basketball Federation, Andrei Kirilenko, predicted that Demin would get into the top ten, but he was waiting for Egor to be number five in Utah. However, the Jazz preferred forward Ace Bailey. ESPN analysts put the tall Russian point guard on the 11th line (then Demin would have got to Portland or Memphis). However, the real development of the draft refuted the scenario. And it is unlikely that Demin has a reason to be upset. Brooklyn, although it did not qualify for the playoffs last season, is a strong club with big plans for the future and good ties with Russia in the recent past.

"Respected and competent American experts made a mistake in assuming that Demin would be selected at the 9th-10th-11th pick,— said basketball expert and commentator Vladimir Gomelsky. — It turned out to be the eighth place, with only two point guards selected in the top ten. Also, in the top ten, only Demin and Flagg have such high game intelligence, but they cover different positions. Egor surpasses the others in game intelligence.

High potential

From 2009 to 2019 "Brooklyn" was owned by the Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov. It was under his leadership that the Nets moved from New Jersey to New York. During the time of Prokhorov, our compatriots Sergey Kushchenko and Irina Pavlova were involved in the management structures of the club. In 2013-2014, the colors of this team were defended by Andrey Kirilenko, and in 2014-2016 by Sergey Karasev. Six years ago, Brooklyn was acquired by Chinese-born Canadian businessman Joseph Tsai, co-founder of Alibaba Corporation.

— Brooklyn is unlikely to compete for the playoffs in the new season. And it's good for Egor. He's the second point guard, he'll be playing instead of D'Angelo Russell, and he'll get his minutes in the first season," Gomelsky continued. — Considering that Egor is conflict-free and disciplined, he should have a normal relationship with the coach. The defining season is not this one, but the second one. I think he'll get used to the first one, and in the second he'll show everything he's capable of. Congratulations to the parents, the agent! Yes, something extraordinary is always expected from the top ten players. But you don't have to go out on the court to save the whole Nets. You have to show what you can and can do. The way it was during the college league season.

ESPN writes that Demin's unique physical characteristics (his height of 206 cm is a lot for a point guard) give Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez many options in the defensive position. Demin can replace D'Angelo Russell in the lineup and create a strong duo with Cam Thomas. The Russian has become Brooklyn's highest pick in more than a decade, since the Nets placed Derrick Favors at the third pick in 2010.

"Demin is still raw, but he has perhaps the best vision of the court in his generation," ESPN writes. — This choice is indicative of the Nets' desire to unlock his potential. Although Demin may not have an immediate impact on the team's results, his progress will become one of the key storylines at Brooklyn in the future as the team builds its long-term workforce."

Before Demin, the last Russian drafted was Sergey Karasev, who was selected in 2013 by Cleveland under the 19th number. Traditionally, the NBA draft takes place in two rounds, with 30 picks each. The second round will be held on Thursday. Other Russian stars from the American student league, such as centers Vladislav Goldin and Viktor Lakhin, can be selected on it. There have been no Russian basketball players in the NBA since 2018, when Timofey Mozgov left the league.