Egor Demin’s Preseason Debut
Egor Demin, selected as the eighth overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft, is set to make his preseason debut as the Brooklyn Nets face off against the Toronto Raptors on Friday. The young guard, at just 19 years old, has been sidelined due to a plantar fascia tear, which has prevented him from participating in the first three games of the preseason.
Injury Update and Readiness
According to General Manager Sean Marks, Demin suffered this injury following the summer league, which was confirmed during media day at the end of September. Head coach Jordi Fernandez shared that Demin has been actively involved in five-on-five practice sessions and is now prepared to step onto the court for game action.
“He’s progressed well through our program and has demonstrated he can handle five-on-five scrimmages. So, the good news is that he’ll get some playing time on Friday, which is an exciting development.”
Fernandez applauded Demin’s hard work, stating,
“He’s put in a lot of effort, and it’s time for him to take the next step.”
Rookie Lineup and Team Dynamics
In addition to Demin, the Nets’ rookie lineup includes guards Nolan Traore, drafted 19th overall, and Ben Saraf, picked 26th. Both have started to carve out their roles with the team amid its rebuilding phase for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Traore has already gotten the chance to start in the two preseason contests against the Suns held in Macao, where he averaged around 17 minutes per game, contributing four and six points respectively. Saraf, who has come off the bench, displayed potential by recording 11 assists in a narrow victory over Brooklyn’s opponent on October 12.
Fernandez remains optimistic about integrating all three rookie guards into the team’s rotations, noting,
“I can’t predict exactly how things will unfold, but I am eager to watch how all three will compete for their minutes. They will be pushing each other for time, particularly at point guard and wing positions.”
He emphasized how important it is for the young talent the Nets have drafted to experience real NBA playing time.
Demin’s Performance and Expectations
Demin, whose height is noted at 6-foot-9, made a mark in the Summer League, averaging 11.3 points, along with 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.0 steals per game, while shooting an impressive 43.5% from beyond the arc. Fernandez is keen for Demin to enjoy his introductory minutes in the preseason without being weighed down by expectations. He stated,
“I want him to relish these first moments on the court. Sure, I will have him focus on doing things with purpose and leverage his skills—his passing, his shooting, and his height—but I don’t want him to overthink it. Just go out there and have fun.”
