During the Brooklyn Nets’ summer league game against the Orlando Magic in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Egor Dëmin made a standout impression with his shooting ability, drawing urgent warnings from <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA analyst Isiah Thomas to not leave him open. This early showing has ignited fresh discussions about Dëmin’s shooting potential, positioning him as a surprising contender for a Klay Thompson shooting comparison in the league.
Despite preseason evaluations branding Dëmin as a non-shooter, with college and international 3-point percentages under 31%, his recent performance has challenged that narrative. In this game alone, he confidently knocked down multiple three-pointers, displaying a sharp shooting touch unseen in his earlier career and giving the Nets a significant boost in a tight matchup.
Challenging Pre-Draft Opinions With High-Level Shooting Displays
Pre-draft scouting largely viewed Dëmin as lacking shooting prowess, referencing subpar three-point shooting percentages during his time at BYU and international youth competitions. However, in Las Vegas, he has doubled his collegiate three-point attempt rate and converted 43% of those attempts, indicating rapid improvement.
At just 19 years old and standing 6-foot-9, Dëmin labeled himself a “playmaker” rather than a point guard after his debut. He is actively working on diversifying his game by enhancing his cutting and screening skills to be effective even when not handling the ball. Additionally, he clarified the pronunciation of his surname as Dyoh-min, a subtle but important point in establishing his identity among fans and commentators alike.
Nets’ Front Office Sees Shooting Potential Confirmed in Workouts
Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks shared that during pre-draft workouts, Dëmin demonstrated the ability to shoot the basketball reliably. This was further validated by impressive pro day showings, which caught the attention of scouts and executives, although his 69.5% free-throw shooting average last season suggested otherwise.
Dëmin’s shooting repertoire includes corner threes, deep shots, and pull-up attempts off the dribble, showcasing a fearless confidence rare for a rookie still adapting to the NBA’s physical demands. His vision and game sense already rank highly, so developing a reliable jump shot could make him a dual threat, complicating defensive coverage and enhancing his passing opportunities in pick-and-roll scenarios.
Sam Vecenie of The Athletic, who ranked Dëmin 26th on his big board, acknowledged the potential upside, saying,
“there’s every chance Dëmin ends up making this ranking look quite bad if the jumper works out.”
—Sam Vecenie, NBA Draft Analyst
Early Struggles Highlight Areas for Growth Amid Shooting Breakout
While Dëmin’s shooting performance in Vegas has been promising, the sample size remains small—10 made threes on 27 attempts across three exhibition games—making conclusions premature. His other aspects of play have shown vulnerabilities, especially on-ball decision-making, as illustrated by frequent turnovers during the close contest against Orlando.
In that game, Dëmin committed six turnovers and recorded just four assists, reinforcing concerns about consistency in his playmaking under pressure. Despite flashes of skill, such as an impressive left-handed dunk exploiting full-court pressure early in the game, Dëmin has only made one two-point shot in the entire summer league, reflecting limited activity inside the paint and low frequency of high-percentage attempts.
This fits with earlier scouting reports noting his difficulty handling ball pressure and penetrating defenses, a challenge carried over from college. His current 19.4% usage rate and the Nets’ inclination to have other players initiate offense when he is on the floor suggest the team is cautious about placing full primary playmaking responsibilities on him at this stage.
Adjusting to NBA Physicality Is a Crucial Step Forward
Brooklyn assistant coach Steve Hetzel emphasized the physical demands Dëmin faces against seasoned opponents, remarking,
“He’s going up against guys who have been out of college for a while now. Their bodies are fully developed, and the physicality is something that he’s going to have to get used to.”
—Steve Hetzel, Brooklyn Assistant Coach
Building strength is a focus for Dëmin’s development, with Hetzel advising that the weight room is key for his transition. Dëmin himself acknowledged this challenge, describing the adjustment to the pro level as significant and noting the intensity with which teammates compete against him in practice, fostering growth and resilience.
Long-Term Vision: A Versatile Playmaker With Shooting Range
The potential upside for Dëmin is to become the Nets’ primary playmaker—a large guard who combines pace, creativity, and sharp decision-making. Successfully incorporating dependable shooting into his arsenal would alleviate pressure on other facets of his game and make him a more comprehensive and threatening threat on offense.
Currently, the Nets appear committed to allowing Dëmin to develop at a natural pace, supported by a roster featuring several young playmakers. Should his shooting prove sustainable, it will significantly enhance his value and impact, while easing expectations for immediate mastery of every skill.
As the summer league progresses, all eyes remain on Dëmin’s ability to maintain his shooting consistency while improving under the rigors of NBA-level defense and physicality, with the Brooklyn Nets hoping this unexpectedly sharp shooting will pay dividends in the seasons ahead.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Klay Thompson’s religion?
A. Thompson and his siblings grew up following the Catholic faith. At age 14, Thompson’s family relocated to Ladera Ranch, California. He completed high school at Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, finishing in 2008.