EGOR DEMIN MAKES BYU HISTORY AS #8 OVERALL PICK TO BROOKLYN NETS IN 2025 NBA DRAFT
In a moment that will be etched into the annals of BYU sports history, Egor Demin became the highest NBA Draft pick in school history Thursday night, selected No. 8 overall by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2025 NBA Draft. The Russian-born, 6-foot-8 guard, who turned heads all season with his rare blend of length, skill, and vision, now finds himself at the heart of a Brooklyn rebuild—and Cougar Nation couldn’t be prouder.
Demin, who joined BYU for the 2024–25 season after a brief but impressive run with Real Madrid’s developmental program, took the college basketball world by storm. In just one season in Provo, he averaged 17.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game, leading BYU to a surprise Sweet Sixteen run in their first full season in the Big 12. His poise, perimeter shooting, and high-level basketball IQ made him a matchup nightmare and a favorite among scouts and fans alike.
“He’s the most NBA-ready international freshman I’ve seen in years,” said one Western Conference scout. “His feel for the game is off the charts. He makes passes most pros wouldn’t even see, and at 6’8″, that’s terrifying for opposing defenses.”
Thursday night at the Barclays Center, Demin walked the red carpet in a sleek navy blue suit with a subtle BYU Cougar lapel pin—a nod to the program that helped launch his meteoric rise. When NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called his name, a roar went up from a surprisingly large BYU fan section in attendance, many holding up signs that read “Brooklyn Gets a BYU Baller” and “Demin the Dream.”
Demin’s selection makes him BYU’s first lottery pick and breaks Jimmer Fredette’s 2011 mark of No. 10 overall. It also sends a loud signal to top-tier international and domestic recruits: BYU is now a legitimate launchpad to the NBA.
Brooklyn’s front office, led by GM Sean Marks, described Demin as “a foundational piece” for their future. “He checks every box we value—size, versatility, unselfishness, maturity. We didn’t just draft a player; we drafted a culture-setter,” Marks said post-draft. “He’s been through professional systems, adapted to a new country and style at BYU, and excelled. That says a lot.”
The Nets are in the midst of a rebuild, having traded away several veterans to accumulate picks and cap space. With young players like Cam Thomas and Noah Clowney already in place, the addition of Demin gives the franchise a jumbo playmaker who can slide between positions and initiate offense. His fit in coach Jordi Fernandez’s fluid, European-style offense could prove seamless.
Social media reaction has been mixed, though leaning positive. NBA Twitter was quick to weigh in on the pick:
> “Brooklyn just got the Luka Lite of this class. Egor Demin is the real deal.” – @DraftScoutingElite
“BYU putting lottery picks in the NBA? Mark Pope would’ve lost his mind seeing this.” – @CFBHoopsGuru
“Demin over other guards like Carter Knox? Time will tell, but the upside is there.” – @NBADebateZone
For BYU, Demin’s selection is a recruiting game-changer. Second-year head coach Kevin Young, fresh off an NBA stint himself, was instrumental in developing Demin’s pro-ready game. “Egor worked every day like he was already in the league,” Young said in a statement. “He elevated everyone around him. This is a proud moment for BYU, and it’s just the beginning.”
As for Demin, his reaction was pure class. “BYU believed in me, and I believed in BYU,” he told reporters. “Now I’m ready to show the world what a Cougar can do in Brooklyn.”
Brooklyn might’ve just found its next great international star—and BYU has officially arrived as an NBA pipeline.
