While AJ Dybantsa may be the headline-grabber for BYU’s future, the present star quietly commanding national attention is freshman phenom Egor Demin. The 6-foot-8 Russian guard has just wrapped up a breakout season that turned heads across the NCAA and even sparked whispers of a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Demin wasn’t your typical freshman. With a background playing against grown professionals in Europe, he brought a polished game, laser court vision, and an elite basketball IQ to the Cougars’ backcourt. His freshman season stats? A rock-solid 10.6 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game—but numbers alone don’t tell the full story.
What set Demin apart was his poise in big moments. During BYU’s thrilling NCAA Tournament run to the Sweet 16, Demin orchestrated the offense like a seasoned pro, making clutch passes, draining timely threes, and playing disruptive defense against some of the top guards in the country.
Now, NBA scouts are circling.
Draft analysts describe Demin as a rare hybrid: a tall point guard with elite passing instincts, a consistent three-point shot, and the length to defend multiple positions. Comparisons to international stars like Josh Giddey and even a young Luka Dončić have started to surface—not because he’s on their level yet, but because his trajectory feels familiar.
But the big question remains: Will Demin declare for the 2025 NBA Draft, or run it back for a sophomore season with BYU’s loaded squad?
With AJ Dybantsa and Rob Wright joining the Cougars next season, Demin’s return could form one of the most dynamic backcourts in college basketball history. BYU fans are holding their breath, hoping to see their international sensation continue to elevate the program’s national profile.
Whether he stays or goes, one thing is certain—Egor Demin’s name is on the rise, and the basketball world is officially on notice.
