BYU freshman wing Egor Demin projected as lottery pick in 2025 NBA Draft

BYU freshman wing Egor Demin projected as lottery pick in 2025 NBA Draft

BYU might have the program’s best NBA prospect since Jimmer Fredette.

ESPN projects 6-foot-8 freshman wing and Russian star Egor Demin as a lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, putting him at No. 9 overall to the San Antonio Spurs in their latest projections.

Denim is of two Cougars in the first round of the mock draft alongside fellow freshman and 6-foot-6 small forward Kanon Catchings, who landed at No. 26 overall to the Utah Jazz.

Denim has been playing for Real Madrid’s youth teams since 2021 — when he was 15 years old. He helped lead the Real Madrid B squad to the EuroLeague Basketblal Next Generation Tournament title in 2022-23 and averaged 13.0 points and 5.1 rebounds in 2023-24 as well as making one appearance with Real Madrid’s senior team.

Denim has been compared to Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic.

From ESPN: “Demin shined as one of the top long-term prospects we saw abroad,” Schmitz says, noting that the guard “has ideal size for a modern playmaker and the type of focus, intensity and poise you look for in an international prospect.” He adds: “Demin was constantly talking defensively and directing traffic offensively, showcasing a feel for the game and maturity you rarely see from a player his age outside of young phenoms like [Luka] Doncic.”