DENVER, Co. — Only one BYU player was still on the court in the minutes following the Cougars’ NCAA Tournament victory over Wisconsin — a win that sent them to their first Sweet 16 since 2011.
Egor Demin, the freshman point guard, was finishing an interview while his teammates rushed into their locker room to celebrate.
At times this season, Demin has been prodigious. A 6-foot-9 point guard with all the tools to be great. At other times, he’s been maligned because of an inability to make 3-point shots — his worst performances aligning with BYU’s toughest losses.
But after this game, his presence on the court gave BYU fans a chance to show their appreciation — mostly because he’d truly earned it.
“One more year,” they chanted as he raced off the court.
“It’s funny, this is amazing to me,” Demin said. “Before BYU, I never had anything like that. This is the first experience, just being with so many fans around me, with that much. It feels great, it feels amazing.”
BYU SURVIVES AND ADVANCES 😱
THE COUGARS ARE OFF TO THE #SWEET16 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/feAI9pW5t4
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 23, 2025
Demin has been the catalyst for the Cougars in this NCAA Tournament. He’s combined to make 5-of-13 3-pointers. And in the win against the Badgers, he recorded eight assists to just one turnover.
Demin saw his draft stock slip this year. He shot just 27.1 percent from long range heading into the tournament. His turnover rate is a very high 24.8 percent. Now, the 19-year-old from Russia is using March Madness as a chance to revive how he’s perceived. He’s the catalyst on a team two wins away from the Final Four, with a matchup against Alabama awaiting them on Thursday.
“He’s confident in himself, and knows that the work he puts in is going to work out eventually,” said BYU senior guard Dawson Baker. “He’s been shooting great, and he’s been super aggressive. And that hasn’t changed over the course of the season. Even when shots weren’t falling.”
Demin’s shooting hasn’t improved through happenstance. It’s the result of a deliberate change in his shot selection. The misses were seriously compromising the team. In defeats this year, Demin is 8-of-52 combined from long range, good for just 15.4 percent. In wins, he makes 35.1 percent.
Before the tournament started, Demin and head coach Kevin Young had a one-on-one film session. They went over the types of 3-pointers he was taking, as Young explained how Demin’s poor percentage was directly correlated to attempting difficult looks.
“It’s hard to shoot a high percentage when you take difficult shots. I think that’s been a growth moment for him as the season has gone on, ” Young said. “I think just his maturity, as he’s understanding how teams are guarding not only him but our team as well, says a lot about where he’s at mentally.”
Demin acknowledged it’s been a difficult year and the cascade of criticisms he’s had to block out.
He found that the easiest way to silence the negativity was improvement. And hitting a logo 3-pointer to put his team up 11 points with 2:30 left in Saturday’s win did just that. More importantly, it was the type of shot he wants to take more often. In rhythm. Catch-and-shoot. From the top of the key.
“I’m really trying to not take it serious, any hate,” Demin said. “Just coming back to the gym every day, working hard on my shot. It’s a good thing for me, and it’s paying off.”
This time of year can be make or break for players in Demin’s position. There’s the NBA Draft combine, individual workouts and other showcase games.
But this is Demin’s last shot to show what he can do when the lights are brightest, with actual stakes in a high-level game. The NCAA Tournament often is the most valuable showcase for players hoping to improve their chances of getting taken early.
At the start of this season, the thought of one more year would have been laughable. Demin was almost immediately considered a lottery pick prospect, for his size, skill and proven track record while competing for Real Madrid. He was BYU’s first-ever five-star recruit.
He started the season red hot, averaging 17 points per game over the first four contests, making 13-of-23 from long range in his first five. But he slowly slipped, and he is now projected to go in the mid-to-late first round.
BYU is not known as an NBA pipeline. It’s getting closer, to be sure, under the guidance of Young, a longtime NBA assistant. This year, they have Demin. Next season, they bring in the nation’s top recruit, AJ Dybansta.
But when BYU fans chant for Demin, it’s because a talent like his doesn’t come around very often.
Jimmer Fredette, drafted in 2011, is the last NBA player from BYU to get extended minutes. Outside of him, Danny Ainge, George Kite, Shawn Bradley, Fred Robert and a few others from the 1980s and 90s, this program has been largely devoid of NBA success.
It’s been a long time since BYU basketball produced NBA talent. It’s been a long time since it had NCAA Tournament success. A win on Saturday would mark their first Elite Eight appearance in 44 years.
And in large part, it’s thanks to Demin. As he goes, so too goes BYU.
Maybe it’ll happen for one more year, maybe not. But certainly for as long as he can take them in this bracket.
“In this tournament, I think I don’t have much experience as other guys in March Madness,” Demin said. “But I believe that we’re the ones who wants to win more.”
(Photo: Matthew Stockman / Getty Images)
