BYU Star Guard Egor Demin Declines 2025 NBA Draft Combine Invite, Emotionally Commits to Finishing Career at BYU: “I Have No Other Home”
In a move that has stunned the college basketball world and endeared him even more to Cougar Nation, BYU standout guard Egor Demin has officially declined an invitation to the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, choosing instead to return for another season in Provo.
The rising star cited a deep personal connection to BYU and his teammates as the driving force behind his heartfelt decision, stating, “I have no other home.”
Demin, a 6-foot-6 guard from Russia, has emerged as one of the most promising international talents in college basketball. His smooth playmaking, elite court vision, and high basketball IQ caught the attention of NBA scouts throughout the season, placing him firmly on draft boards as a potential first-round selection. So when the official NBA Combine invitation arrived, many expected Demin to make the leap.
But instead, he shocked the basketball community by turning down the opportunity—a rare move in today’s era of early departures and one-and-done talent. His decision wasn’t about uncertainty in draft stock or fear of failure. It was about loyalty, leadership, and love for the program he now considers family.
“BYU isn’t just a school to me,” Demin said in an emotional statement released by the university. “It’s my home. These coaches believed in me. My teammates fight with me every game. And the fans? They’ve embraced me like one of their own. I’m not done here.”
Demin’s announcement was met with an outpouring of support from fans, teammates, and BYU head coach Kevin Young, who called the decision “a powerful reflection of Egor’s character and commitment.” Young added, “Egor is the type of player and person you build a program around. His loyalty and leadership set a standard for what BYU basketball is all about.”
With Demin returning, the Cougars gain a veteran leader who will anchor the backcourt during their second season in the Big 12—a conference loaded with elite competition. His return boosts BYU’s hopes of a deep NCAA Tournament run and could elevate his draft stock even higher with another season of growth and spotlight performances.
The NBA may have to wait a little longer for Egor Demin, but for BYU, his presence means everything. In a landscape where players chase fast-track careers, Demin’s decision to stay speaks volumes about his heart and priorities.
“I believe in this place,” Demin concluded. “We have unfinished business. And I want to finish what we started—right here, where I belong.”
In an era where loyalty is rare, Egor Demin just became more than a player—he became a symbol of what college basketball can still represent.
