Egor Demin Closes Half For BYU With Impressive Slam Dunk Against UCR
Nov 8, 2024, 8:34 PM
(Isaac Hale, Deseret News)
PROVO, Utah – The season might be only a week old, but the Egor Demin hype train is already full steam ahead.
BYU’s talented freshman from Russia put together a highlight-worthy slam dunk on Friday night against UC Riverside.
Egor Demin throws down a highlight slam dunk
The 6-foot-9 guard, playing in only his second collegiate game, had the Marriott Center crowd on their feet at the end of the first half.
#BYU's Egor Demin is must watch basketball this season. 10 point first half tonight against UCR. I still think the second clip here is a pass off the glass to Traore.@KSLSports #BYUHoops pic.twitter.com/z3s5jRPJwe
— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_TV) November 9, 2024
BYU had the final possession of the first half, and they inbounded the ball to Demin. Demin patiently handled the ball up top before going hard into the paint for a slam dunk with authority.
The dunk put BYU in front of the Highlanders, 40-33 at the break, and capped off an 11-4 run to close out the first half.
Demin’s dunk put him at 10 points in the first half to go along with four rebounds and four assists in 16 minutes played to open the game.
Game two for #BYU freshman Egor Demin.#BYUHoops pic.twitter.com/WiAeOP1l9N
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 9, 2024
The five-star freshman by 247Sports performed brilliantly in BYU’s season-opening win against Central Arkansas, scoring 18 points and dishing out 11 assists.
Impressive freshman
He became only the second freshman in Big 12 Conference history to score 10+ points and pass for 10+ assists in a college debut as a freshman. The other is former Oklahoma star and current Atlanta Hawk star Trae Young.
Egor Demin’s slam dunk to close out the first half. 😮 #BYUHoops pic.twitter.com/BZ0g30qmPI
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 9, 2024
Demin is the first five-star signee for the BYU basketball program in the 21st century. He’s viewed as an NBA Lottery pick in next June’s NBA draft.
Some basketball talking heads made a case after his debut game at BYU that he could be a Top 5 pick. The slam dunk on Friday against UC Riverside is another example of his high-end talent.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.