A new twist has emerged in the saga of Egor Demin’s NBA Draft journey, with fresh insight from a top draft insider and a spotlight on the impact of AJ Dybantsa’s arrival at BYU. As Demin’s stock rises again, the question lingers: could the allure of teaming up with Dybantsa prompt a surprise college return, or is the NBA dream now too close to resist?
Egor Demin’s Draft Stock: Insider Update and the AJ Dybantsa Factor
Draft analyst Matt Babcock, appearing on the Pete Sousa Show, described Demin’s season as “very much a roller coaster in regards to his draft stock and sort of, you know, media attention and whatnot.”
Early in the year, Demin’s unique profile as a 6’9” point guard drew comparisons to Magic Johnson.
“He kind of just blew everybody away as a 6’9 point guard and felt like we’re watching this, you know, 18-year-old Russian Magic Johnson,” Babcock said.
However, an in-season injury and subsequent struggles saw his stock dip, even sparking speculation that Demin might return to BYU to play alongside incoming phenom AJ Dybantsa.
Babcock emphasized that Demin’s draft momentum is back on the upswing.
“I do think he’s trending up,” Babcock said. “Everything is positive, and so I’m expecting him to be a lottery pick… but he’s definitely on the rise after sliding back, you know, throughout the season.”
Recent combined performances back this resurgence. Demin impressed scouts with his size (measured at over 6’9” without shoes), wingspan, and improved shooting, all of which have reignited talk of him being a potential lottery pick.
The possibility of Demin returning to college was not just idle chatter.
“AJ [Dybantsa] is coming, and he could be one of the reasons I want to come back next year,” Demin said after BYU’s Sweet 16 exit.
The prospect of forming a core with Dybantsa, the nation’s No. 1 recruit and a projected future NBA star, was tantalizing for BYU fans and analysts alike. Dybantsa’s commitment has already elevated BYU’s national profile, and his presence could have created one of the most formidable duos in college basketball.
In the end, the NBA was just too tempting for Demin to turn down. He’s now officially entered the 2025 NBA Draft.
“It’s another challenge that I am willing to take, and I’m not scared of any troubles that I could meet in this path,” Demin said.
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Sure, teaming up with Dybantsa at BYU was a real option, but chasing his NBA dream was just too good to pass up.
With the draft coming up, Demin is definitely one of the most interesting players to watch. His journey’s had its ups and downs, and people are eager to see where he ends up—whether that’s making a name for himself in the NBA, or, in some alternate world, being part of a BYU superteam.
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