Egor Dëmin was named to the Castrol Rising Stars roster as part of NBA All-Star 2026, becoming the first member of the Nets to earn the honor since Jarrett Allen and Rodions Kurucs did it back in 2019. For a rookie class that arrived with more questions than certainty, his selection stands out as a clear signal that Brooklyn’s developmental push is starting to get noticed beyond its own walls.
Dëmin was one of 10 rookies selected to the Rising Stars roster, a list that mostly mirrors the top of the 2025 NBA Draft. Every top-10 pick was included except Ace Bailey and Khaman Maluach, who were edged out by Cedric Coward and Derik Queen. The omission didn’t dull the meaning for Brooklyn, though. Dëmin, taken eighth overall out of BYU, has turned what was once a debated pick into one of the quieter success stories of the rookie class.
Through 39 games, the 19-year-old guard has carved out a steady starting role, averaging 10.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 24.6 minutes per night. The efficiency has been just as telling. He’s shooting 39.9% from the field, 39.6% from 3-point range and 85.0% from the line, numbers that have chipped away at early skepticism about his offensive ceiling. He’s reached double figures 19 times already and has topped out at 23 points on two separate nights.
“I think his ability to shoot the ball in the flow of the game has been impressive so far,” Nets head coach Jordi Fernández said. “He can shoot off the catch or off the dribble. He can find the 3-point line for his teammates. His IQ is, I would say, high IQ. I think that there’s a lot of room to improve… To finish off of two feet on balance towards the rim, I think right there is where he makes the difference and takes the next step. Because I’ve seen him doing it and I’ve seen him not doing it, that’s what I can push him to do consistently. And I think that’s the next step for his game. Same as on defense.”
Dëmin’s production holds up when stacked against his peers. He sits second among rookies in both 3-pointers made per game at 2.4 and total 3s with 95. He’s fourth in 3-point percentage, seventh in assists per game, eighth in total assists and 10th in scoring. His ability to space the floor while keeping the offense moving has quietly separated him from the pack.
Historically, the shooting stands out even more. Dëmin is already one of the most prolific 3-point shooting rookies the franchise has seen. On Dec. 29 against the Golden State Warriors, he drilled seven triples on 14 attempts, setting a Nets rookie record for 3s in a single game. His 95 makes this season trail only Kerry Kittles on the team’s all-time rookie list. He also ranks sixth in franchise history among rookies in assists per game, another marker of how quickly he’s adapted to NBA pace.
The playmaking, by his own standard, is still a work in progress. The reads are there, the anticipation and touch are obvious, but the physicality of the league has slowed some of that down. That’s not a red flag so much as a reminder of where he is in the process. As he adds strength, the passing should come more naturally and more frequently as he gets better at attacking the paint.
What’s already arrived is the shooting. Dëmin hasn’t just survived on spot-up looks. He’s creating his own 3s off the bounce, stepping into shots with confidence and in doing so has largely erased the label of non-shooter that followed him into the draft.
“I think that his length, his size for the position, I think the way he can handle the ball, his vision, his passing, I think he’s got a chance to be a really good player,” Bulls head coach Billy Donovan said. “[The Nets] got some very good, young players, no question about it…. [He’s] got really good size for the position and good vision. I think the more those guys get a chance to play like they’re playing, [they’ll] get the chance to learn and grow in their identity, their style of play and how they’re trying to play.”
That arc is part of what makes this Rising Stars nod matter for the Nets. On draft night, Dëmin’s selection was questioned in some corners, framed as a reach or a gamble. Half a season later, he’s headed to All-Star weekend with league-wide recognition for a rookie year that has outpaced expectations. It’s a tangible reward for a player who has leaned into development, and for an organization that has made it a priority.
The Rising Stars event itself will take place Friday, Feb. 13, at Intuit Dome, tipping off at 9 p.m. ET and airing on Peacock. The format features a four-team mini-tournament with three games. Vince Carter, Carmelo Anthony and Tracy McGrady will draft teams from a pool of 21 NBA rookies and sophomores Tuesday night, with Austin Rivers serving as the honorary coach for the G League team.
For Dëmin, it’s a showcase. For Brooklyn, it’s proof that the work being done behind the scenes is starting to resonate on a bigger stage.
