I recently did a deep dive on BYU’s playmaker, Egor Demin. I watched the BYU games this season because they were a good team, and I saw that Egor was their primary playmaker. Admittedly, there were so many other college teams to watch, and I still had to watch our Portland Trail Blazers. I didn’t give Egor the time he deserved, so now that the season is over, I watched all the Egor game films and will talk about what I saw. I did a video talking about Egor, which you can watch right now. here https://www.tiktok.com/@dasagehoops/video/7500735392631541035?_r=1&_t=ZT-8wDgEjfTwBG
Shooting: At first glance, Egor Demin’s 27% shooting from beyond the arc suggests he’s a poor shooter—and to be fair, that’s not entirely wrong. But it’s also not the whole story. The role he played at BYU didn’t do him many favors. Too often, Demin took difficult, off-the-dribble threes with a hand in his face—shots that should be reserved for elite shooters. His efficiency improved noticeably when he got cleaner looks, especially in catch-and-shoot situations. For Demin to reach his ceiling, he must become a threat from three or consistently get downhill and finish at the rim. We’ll dig into his issues getting to the paint later, but in the short term, the more realistic improvement might be shot selection. He could become a much more reliable shooter with a better shot IQ and a more disciplined approach to when and how he pulls the trigger.
Playmaking: Egor Demin’s height gives him a unique mix of advantages and drawbacks as a playmaker. On the plus side, his size allows him to see over defenders and make passes that smaller guards simply can’t—he’s operating from a higher vantage point than most players in his position. But that same size has a downside: he lacks top-tier quickness, making him vulnerable to defensive pressure. Opposing teams can speed him up, and he doesn’t always have the burst to escape. Some of his best possessions on film came when the screener took the defender out for the play, giving Egor the time and space to survey the floor and make the right read. When he’s not rushed, his decision-making shines.
Given his struggles handling defensive pressure, I see Egor Demin as a secondary playmaker or even a modern small forward rather than a true lead guard. He’s at his best when he doesn’t have to initiate offense against set defenses. If he’s paired with a primary ball handler—someone who can consistently bend the defense and force rotations—Demin’s passing ability could really shine. Playing off an alpha who commands attention would give him the space and time to read the floor and make smart, impactful decisions.
Defense: I am confident in Egor Demin’s ability to match up against bigger, stronger opponents. His frame and length allow him to hold his own in those battles. But when he’s switched onto quicker players with a real burst, things can get dicey, and he doesn’t have the lateral speed to stay in front of shifty guards. In zone coverage, he can sometimes look lost or slow to react, but when he can use his size and wingspan to help on the weak side, he can make disruptive plays. With the right scheme and role, there’s real defensive value there.
Holy Backboard 