Imagine a rookie shattering NBA records with a skill that once seemed to elude him. That's exactly what Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Demin did on Friday night, sinking a 3-pointer in his 34th consecutive game against the Utah Jazz, setting a new NBA rookie record. But here's where it gets even more impressive: Demin didn't just break the record—he dominated the court, hitting 3 out of 5 three-pointers in the first quarter alone, racking up 11 points before the first buzzer sounded.
Heading into the game, Demin was neck-and-neck with NBA greats like Portland's Rudy Fernandez (2008-09) and Philadelphia's Landry Shamet (2018-19), both of whom held the previous record of 33 consecutive games with a 3-pointer. Drafted 8th overall from BYU last year, Demin has already made 98 three-pointers this season, trailing only Charlotte's Kon Knueppel among rookies. And this is the part most people miss: through his first 40 career games, Demin has the second-most 3s in NBA history for a rookie, shooting a solid 39.7% from beyond the arc.
So, how did a player who shot just 27.3% from three-point range during his lone season at BYU transform into such a sharpshooter? The answer lies in sheer dedication. Demin credits his success to countless hours in the gym, honing his shooting technique. “Shooting the ball,” he said simply before the game. “As basic as it sounds, it’s about being in the gym and putting in the work.”
But it wasn’t just practice—Demin also gives a shoutout to BYU coach Kevin Young, who he calls an “NBA-level coach.” Young equipped Demin with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in the pros. “He gave me the foundation to step into the NBA and know what’s expected,” Demin explained. “He taught me how to play at this level, and that’s made all the difference.”
And this is where it gets controversial: Is Demin’s rapid rise a testament to his work ethic, or does it highlight the growing trend of college players needing just one year to prepare for the NBA? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Demin’s record-breaking season doesn’t stop here. He’s already set Nets rookie records for most 3-pointers in a single game (seven) and most games with five or more 3s (six). Plus, he’s closing in on another milestone: the most 3-pointers by a rookie in Nets history, currently held by Kerry Kittles with 158 in the 1996-97 season.
From struggling at BYU to becoming a record-breaking NBA rookie, Egor Demin’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. But the question remains: Can he keep this momentum going, or will the pressure of the league catch up? What do you think—is Demin the real deal, or is this just a hot streak? Share your take below!
