DENVER — Egor Demin, the modest but talented guard of the 17th-ranked BYU men’s basketball team, is often discussed as a prime candidate for the NBA draft following his freshman year in Provo. However, there is one area where he confidently claims superiority.
It’s not about orchestrating the Cougars’ high-energy offense that scores an average of 81.0 points per game, contributing significantly to the team’s success as they won 13 of their last 16 games, including a nine-game winning streak before their recent loss to Houston in the Big 12 tournament semifinals.
He’s not even the team’s top playmaker, although his argument is strong with a team-leading 5.4 assists per game showcasing his impressive vision and skillful ball handling that leaves fans amazed. Instead, when asked if he’s the best at a particular activity, Demin answers with certainty.
This activity is content creation, a space where the 6-foot-9 athlete from Moscow, who moved to Spain to train at Real Madrid’s academy at age 15, shines on the Cougars’ travel vlogs and social media on game days.
While Trey Stewart is a formidable competitor, Demin believes he deserves the title. He shared, “I think it’s just being yourself; that’s the main thing. Off camera, on the camera, I’m the same person. I’m just trying to make everybody’s lives a little bit funnier and happier. I’m just having fun.”
As BYU prepares to face 11th-seeded VCU in their third NCAA Tournament in five years, Demin’s authentic play will be crucial. He had a solid season averaging 10.3 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game, particularly excelling during an eight-game winning streak that propelled the Cougars into serious competition with victories against teams like Kansas and Arizona.
However, past success doesn’t always guarantee triumph in the tournament. BYU, with the most NCAA Tournament appearances without reaching the Final Four, has not won a game since 2012. Last year, they faced a surprise defeat against Duquesne, which remains fresh in their minds. “We take a few key things right there; one is we’ve got to come out and be the aggressor,” said BYU’s leading scorer, Richie Saunders. “Just with having all the confidence in the world and all the focus on just getting the job done, that’s my takeaway.” Under first-year coach Kevin Young, their team dynamics have shifted with new additions like Demin, as well as other talented players returning from last year’s squad.
