2 days ago
Nets' Egor Dёmin reveals offseason focus ahead of rookie year
After a solid showing in the NBA Summer League, Egor Dёmin wants to have a productive summer before the start of his rookie campaign with the Brooklyn Nets.
Dёmin averaged 11.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and one steal on 43.5% shooting from 3-point range in three appearances with the Nets in Las Vegas, Nevada. He finished in double figures twice, including a 14-point, nine-rebound performance on Wednesday.
The eighth overall pick stayed busy in the gym throughout the predraft process, working on various elements of his game, such as his floor spacing after shooting 27.3% from 3-point range last season at BYU. He was pleased to see that percentage improve in summer league.
"Coming here, the shooting was my biggest question -- not my question, the question of people about me," Dёmin said Friday on NBA TV. "It is an exciting time to really prove it that I can really shoot because, obviously, I spend a lot of time on the court practicing before getting in the draft and workouts and really focusing on how can I be efficient from every type of shots."
Dёmin was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team, averaging 10.6 points, 5.5 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals on 41.2% shooting from the field. He dazzled as a playmaker, ranking third in the conference in assists after setting the freshman program record (180).
The 19-year-old showed improvement as a shooter in a limited sample size with the Nets in the desert. He wants to continue working on that skill set over the rest of the offseason, while also staying in the weight room to build additional muscle.
"I think I might spend more time in the lifting room than on the court," Dёmin said. "Being honest, this is exactly where I'm focusing right now, and I'm super aware of myself, I'll say that. I'm living in the lifting room. I'm not getting upset because I know how much work I put into this, so it is just a question of time."
Dёmin is among a crowded draft class for the Nets, joining Nolan Traoré (19th pick), Drake Powell (22nd pick), Ben Saraf (26th pick) and Danny Wolf (27th pick). The Nets became the first team in history to select five players in the first round of the draft.
The 6-foot-9 Russian is eager to get to work with his fellow rookie teammates, along with the rest of the team. He believes being a part of such a large group will help smooth the transition to the next level and have a productive year with the team.
"I think it is easier because, obviously, you have another four guys around you who are in the same situation, same age as you, came from different places from all over the world," Dёmin said. "It is exciting just to get to know people because I believe basketball is a lot about relationships and how good of a chemistry you can build around."
