Demin calls AK-47 a close advisor as well…
Basketball may be gaining popularity in China, South East Asia and even South America, but in Russia, it’s experienced some hard times. A poll of the Russian sports fans a few years back ranked it only the sixth most popular sport, behind handball among others.
Of course, for nine years, a Russian oligarch owned the Brooklyn Nets and although they never fulfilled Mikhail Prokhorov’s dream of an NBA championship (and he never fulfilled his promise to wed if they didn’t), the Nets became one of the country’s favorites, particularly when the legendary Andrei Kirilenko joined the team for a couple of years at the end of career in the NBA.
After retiring from the NBA, Kirilenko was given the task of reinvigorating the sport as president of the Russian Basketball Federation, a job made more difficult when FIBA, the world’s basketball governing body banned them from international competition and the Euroleague suspended its teams, the result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its indiscriminate bombing of its cities.
In the midst of all that, Egor Demin, like Prokhorov and the rest of his Russian staff a native Muscovite, emerged, a 6’9” point guard who played not for CSKA Moscow but Real Madrid and Brigham Young. Now of course he is a Brooklyn Net, becoming the third Russian player in franchise history.
At yesterday’s press conference introducing Brooklyn’s five rookies, Demin revealed the depth of the help AK-47 had provided him not just in the draft but over the course of his whole career.
“Yes, I’ve talked to him throughout all of my career. Moving to Spain, he was a part of that decision at some point,” said Demin in response to a NetsDaily question. “Moving to BYU, especially, obviously, because he lived in Utah.”
Prior to the Draft, he told Utah media what an honor it was for him to have Kirilenko as an advisor.
“He’s a big figure for Russian basketball,” Demin said. “Obviously, for me, it’s an honor to be able to have a chance to talk to him and ask him for advice. For me, it’s an honor to be representing my country, bringing the pride of my country to the NBA.”
Demin also told Tuesday’s press conference that Kirilenko called him in Brooklyn the morning after the draft to congratulate him and assure him the organization was a good fit. At No. 8, Demin is the highest Russian draft pick ever, Yaroslav Korolev, taken at No. 12 by the Clippers.
In a post-draft interview with a Russian sports site, first discovered by SI’s Tyler Carmona, AK-47 raved about Demin.
“It’s very cool. Historic moment, highest draft pick. Potentially, he is one of the strongest players we have ever had. Naturally, there are all the plans for him to succeed,” Kirilenko said. “Brooklyn is the best option, because the team is young. There is a certain deficit in Demin’s position. Most likely, he will have a chance to start first.”
Of course, two other players on the podium might disagree. Nolan Traore of France and Ben Saraf of Israel are also point guards. Currently, the team only has only three points guards on the roster, the three international rookies.
- Egor Demin Credits Andrei Kirilenko’s Guidance on Journey to Brooklyn – Tyler Carmona – Sports Illustrated