Nets' Egor Demin reflects on rookie NBA season despite injury

NEW YORK -- Brooklyn Nets rookie guard Egor Demin had a solid rookie season for the Nets to might get him a spot on one of the two NBA All-Rookie teams. Whether that happens or not, Demin was able to show a significant portion of his skillset for Brooklyn and before the season ended, he reflected on the experience that he gained during his first season in the league.

"It’s been a really cool experience and obviously very unique from what I’ve had before in my career," Demin said during his exit interview after he was ruled out in mid-March for the rest of the season. Demin had plantar fasciitis in his left foot that intensified to the point that Brooklyn decided to rule him out for the rest of the year that he could recover from the injury in time for the team's offseason program.

"Being a rookie who has an opportunity to start at point guard [at first], which is even probably more responsible than later on when Nolan [Traore] got on the court and I started playing more of a wing," Demin continued. "I think that’s something that gave me a lot, just from a standpoint of learning and growing as a player. As a vocal [player], as trying to be a leader and all that, and trying to adjust to the game from all possible angles."

Demin, 20, ended his rookie season averaging 10.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 39.9% from the field and 38.5% from behind the three-point line. Of the 103 players that made their NBA debut this season, Demin made the fourth-most three-pointers and ranked 18th in points per game and 13th in assists per game while making 52 appearances.

As part of the Nets' announcement of Demin missing the rest of the season due to increased plantar fasciitis in his left foot, the team said that he "is expected to return to basketball activity early in the offseason and be a full participant in the summer development program." By all accounts, Demin should be ready to build on his rookie season, especially since he was able to start in 45 of his 52 games that he played this year.