Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Demin just dropped 20 points for his team in a 91-65 victory over the New York Knicks in the Las Vegas Summer League, and if you saw the box score, you saw a big change from his rookie year. The 20-year-old finished shooting 7-of-15 from the field, which included 3-of-9 from beyond the three-point line, a stark contrast to how he used to operate.
Demin's Offseason Grind Is Paying Off
Look, we all know Demin could shoot the three-ball last season. He showed that ability at a much higher level than he did in college. But there was a glaring hole in his game: getting to the rim. It was a huge focus for him in the offseason, and he's not shy about talking about it. "That was the emphasis of the offseason, I would say," Demin told the media. He's been telling anyone who will listen that getting stronger in the weight room was key to executing things on the court. He’s right, too, because it’s clearly working. He’s not just talking the talk either. The man is putting in the work daily to build those habits of driving to the paint. "I got so much stronger and that gave me more confidence," Demin added. You can see that confidence in his play. He knows he needs to keep trying and keep attacking, because that's how it gets better. He's genuinely excited about the work he's done, and it should just keep growing from here.From Long Range Marksman to Two-Way Threat?
Remember how Demin played last season? He took a whopping 71.7% of his shots from behind the three-point line. That's a lot of deep balls. But here's the kicker: when he *did* try to get to the rim, he shot just 55.1% on field-goal attempts between zero and three feet from the basket. That ranked him an abysmal 513th out of 569 players in the league. You can't be a one-trick pony in this league, and Demin recognized that. Now, compare that to what he's done in summer league. In two games in the California Classic, he averaged 23.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, while shooting an impressive 55.6% from the field. Sure, his three-point percentage was lower at 26.7% in those games, but that's the whole point. He’s not relying solely on the deep shot anymore. If this trend continues, Demin is going to finish significantly better at the rim, and he's giving all the credit to his dedication in the weight room and on the court. This kid is only 20, and he's already making huge strides in his game. You gotta love to see that kind of dedication. What does this mean for Demin moving forward? It means he's a much more complete player than he was just months ago. Keep an eye on his next summer league games. He's showing the league he's ready to be a legitimate threat on both ends of the floor, and that kind of growth is what turns prospects into real stars.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.