Jordi Fernandez sends a stark message to Egor Demin’s doubters after a rookie night

The The selection of Egor Demin by the Brooklyn Nets with their first lottery pick in 15 years was much disparaged. However, after a slow start, the rookie guard is slowly but surely proving his detractors wrong.

Demin turned in the best performance of his young career Tuesday in his third straight start. The 19-year-old scored 16 points on 5-of-11 shooting from the field and 4-of-8 from three with four rebounds, five assists and one turnover in Brooklyn’s 119-109 loss to the Toronto Raptors.

“We all believe he belongs,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said after the game. “You keep seeing plays that catch my eye, like the way he’s shooting and getting to the ball…I’m very happy with where he’s at right now and what he’s shown. How aggressive he’s been; 11 field goal attempts is a good number. And five assists for one turnover against a team that’s very aggressive and very good, I think that shows the growth of the defense now…ultimately, being more efficient and learning from his minutes.”

Demin’s usage has skyrocketed since moving into Brooklyn’s starting lineup after Cam Thomas’ hamstring injury. The eighth pick has been productive under the increased workload, averaging 11.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists and just 1.7 turnovers over the last three games.

Yegor Demin on the Nets’ last three games since entering the starting lineup:

11.3 points
3.7 rebounds
5.0 assists
1.7 revolutions
48% FG (8/17 on 3P, 4/8 on 2P)
47% 3P
25.3 minutes

It’s a long way to go, but the rookie is steadily improving with extra reps on the ball. pic.twitter.com/jItP0PbcDd

— Eric Slater (@erikslater_) November 12, 2025

He was effective as a three-point shooter and driver during that stretch, shooting 12-of-25 (48 percent) from the field and 8-of-17 (47 percent) from distance.

Nets rookie Egor Demin has shown steady progress since moving into a starting role

Demin’s outside shotthe primary problem entering the draft, was extremely positive. The BIU product attempted 8.3 3-pointers in 36 minutes — second-most among 17 rookies to play over 125 minutes, behind only Kon Kneuppel (9.0). He made 37.5 percent of his conversions, the third-highest mark among the seven rookies who have attempted 40-plus 3-pointers this season, trailing only Kneppel (40 percent) and Cedric Coward (40 percent).

Despite his hot start in the shootout, Demin’s lack of aggressiveness out of the gate was concerning. Novak failed to attempt two points in his first five appearances. However, he has stepped up his assertiveness as a driver over the last six games, attempting 13 tackles for two and completing six (46.2%).

“Everything comes with reps,” Demin said. “That’s a big part of my transition at this level, just getting used to those things that I haven’t encountered before in the pick-and-roll, the physicality, looking at different coverages… And obviously, pressure on the ball. People try to pressure me because they know I can lose the ball sometimes. But I’m getting more comfortable, for sure, because like I said, it’s just repetition.”

Almost all of Demin’s drives came off pick-and-rolls, similar to his only college season. The Russian floor general had 442 possessions as a pick-and-roll ball handler at BIU, putting up efficient numbers as a scorer and playmaker. He showed flashes with Brooklyn, but his pick-and-roll impact took a significant step back against NBA defenses.

While Demin expected more room to work in the NBA, he said the size and athleticism of the defenders stood out.

“(BIU head coach (Kevin) Young told me all along that the space was going to be different and there was going to be a lot more space. But honestly, everyone is just bigger and takes up so much space with their bodies, IQ, speed and understanding of positioning,” he said. “People can guard both players at the same time. … There’s more space, for sure. There’s (different) rules, like no three seconds. Obviously, in college, you can just put the tallest guy in the paint and he can stay there. … But just by feel, it’s not a big difference to me from a space standpoint, because everybody knows how to guard.”

“It’s harder, just because everybody’s bigger, stronger and faster. Sometimes you think a defender helps so much, but then he’s fast enough to catch the ball and steal the pass… People are more experienced. I think playmaking today is not only offensive, but also defensive. You’re facing those (defensive) playmakers who understand how (defensive) players can make very good plays on a team and probably play well. (biggest) difference.”

Demin’s pick-and-roll scoring and playmaking gradually improve with additional reps. However, without an elite first step or handle, he relies entirely on ball screens to create advantages downhill. His ability to reach his ceiling will depend on whether he can expand his repertoire on the ball to utilize his elite passing skills.

Demin’s performance since joining Brooklyn’s starting lineup has quelled concerns after his rough start. The new point guard will return to action when the Nets travel to face the Orlando Magic on Friday.