Brooklyn Nets The next step Egor Demin must take to become elite player for Nets By Brian Lewis Published Feb. 24, 2026, 10:09 p.m. ET Egor Dëmin drives on Zaccharie Risacher during the Nets' loss to the Hawkss on Feb. 22, 2026. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Egor Dëmin was the Nets’ first Rising Stars representative in seven years.
If he wants to take the next step in his development — and maybe even get back to All-Star weekend someday to play in the big game — Dëmin is going to have to keep getting better at getting into the paint.
There’s no question it’s the swing skill that can take him from a potential starter to a difference-maker. The question is: How?
Is it strength and size? Mentality? A better handle?
