NEW YORK -- Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Demin had a solid rookie season last year in which many in the Nets fanbase were able to see the kind of potential he has for his game. Brooklyn gave Demin the chance to learn the NBA game on the fly and after everything he saw last year, he had the chance to reflect on how those moments have prepared him for this season.
"I think just the general adjustment. It's been a long way adjusting from college basketball and European basketball," Demin said during his Media Day interview on Monday. Demin had an eventful year of basketball over the course of his time heading into his rookie season as he went from playing overseas in Spain to playing for the BYU Cougars prior to playing for the Nets.
"Obviously, it's
a way different thing in the NBA with the type of athletes that there is and the type of minds that players have," Demin continued. "So, it's been a long way adjusting to what's in front of me and trying to just take one step at a time without thinking about pressure from the fans, from whatever it is. I think it was important for me to really be focusing on what's going on within the organization, within the team."
Demin, 20, is coming off an encouraging rookie season where he averaged 10.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 39.9% from the field and 38.5% from behind the three-point line. Once training camp is over, Demin will likely be one of the starting guards for head coach Jordi Fernandez, but the team is hoping that the Russian continues to grow like he's been doing.
After forwards Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle, other players within the rotation will have to step up if the Nets are going to exceed expectations and Demin could be set up for that role. Given all of the growing Demin has been doing this offseason, physically and otherwise, the second-year guard could be poised for a breakout season for one of the youngest teams in the NBA.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets' Egor Demin discusses overall growth from rookie season
