I arrived in Provo, Utah, yesterday, eager to watch BYU's star freshmen, Egor Demin and Kanon Catchings, as the Cougars hosted the Central Arkansas Bears for their season opener. Stepping into the Marriott Center, I had high expectations for both players.
Let's start with Egor Demin, the 6-foot-9 guard from Moscow, Russia, who most recently suited up for Real Madrid in Spain. Demin ran the offense for the Cougars with remarkable poise, dishing out dimes from every angle. His passing was precise and creative, consistently landing in shooters' pockets. Whether it was a quick hook pass, a drop-off, or a perfectly placed lob, his vision and decision-making were on another level. And it's not just his physical ability to make these passes—his rare feel, timing, and decision-making set him apart.
Watching Demin play was a treat, and his playmaking was only part of the show. His shooting and scoring were almost equally impressive—he went 4-for-7 from three-point range, and these weren’t just basic catch-and-shoot attempts; he was knocking down shots off the dribble, in step-back moves, through pick-and-rolls, and straight pull-ups. He even threw down an incredible left-handed dunk in transition.
Though Demin’s build and athleticism differ from Steve Nash’s, his approach—court vision, facilitating, shooting prowess, and assertiveness off the dribble—reminded me of Nash’s game. It’s beautiful basketball and a joy to watch. Demin finished the game with 18 points, 11 assists, and 4 steals.
As an NBA Draft Analyst, naturally, I have to raise some questions. Demin's foot speed and lateral quickness need improvement, and he could use more physicality on the defensive end. Adding muscle mass, weight, and functional strength would make a difference. Offensively, I'm confident he can play the 1, 2, or 3 at the NBA level, and whoever drafts him should keep the ball in his hands because that's when the magic happens. But defensively, who does he guard? It's hard to imagine him checking NBA point guards effectively.
However, these are minor concerns in the grand scheme. Egor Demin is a spectacular player and prospect. I already have him ranked No. 8 on my big board, and after last night, I’m left thinking: 'Should he be even higher?'
Now, let's talk about Kanon Catchings. Unlike Demin, I had previously watched Catchings play in person while he was with Overtime Elite in Atlanta, Georgia. Catchings comes from a basketball lineage: his aunt, Tamika Catchings, is a Naismith Hall of Famer; his mother, Tauja, played college ball at Illinois and overseas, and his grandfather, Harvey Catchings, played 11 seasons in the NBA. Naturally, with this kind of legacy, there's a unique excitement around his journey.
I've always been high on Catchings' potential. In fact, before last night, I already had him ranked No. 29 on the Babcock Hoops 2025 NBA Draft Big Board. It's always been a question of "when," not "if," he would become an NBA draft pick. Catchings didn't disappoint. Standing at 6-foot-9 with an impressive but still-developing frame, he moves fluidly on defense for a player his size. Last night, his defensive performance caught my eye—he got low in his stance, was active on the perimeter, and disrupted several shots. With his length and athleticism, Catchings has the potential to be a versatile defender, able to switch and cover multiple positions. Offensively, he showed flashes of promise as well. He has size, athleticism, and finishing ability at the rim, along with a solid shooting stroke. He shot 4-for-11 from three-point range, some of which were on the move—he finished with 17 points in total. While his shot selection could improve, the fact that he's taking and making tough threes in his college debut tells me a lot. A 6-foot-9 athletic defender who's confidently shooting and making threes? Yeah, we can work with that. So, to address my looming question about Catchings' timeline—the time might just be now.
Overall, my trip to BYU was incredibly productive. I went in with high hopes for Demin and Catchings, and I'm leaving town even more optimistic about their futures. I can't wait to see how this season unfolds for these two, and the entire BYU team—head coach Kevin Young has the program in an exciting place.
Congrats on your first career win, Coach!
