Egor Deming set more than just an NBA rookie record last week in Utah.
Deming also met with an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In an X post on Thursday, the Brooklyn Nets rookie shared a photo of himself with Elder Ronald A. Rathbun of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Sister Melanie Rasbun and Brigham Young University senior associate athletic director Travis Hansen.
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In the photo, Deming is holding a signed BYU basketball. According to Deming, Hansen organized the meeting.
“It was an honor to meet Elder and Sister Raspan this past weekend. Thank you (Travis Hansen) and Larry for making this possible!” Deming said.
Elder Rasband shared his best wishes for Deming on his Instagram Story on Thursday.
“It’s great to meet you. Melanie and I wish you success in all your endeavors,” he said.
Hansen called the moment “bigger than basketball” in an X post on Friday.
“Proud of Yegor Demin and the values he represents. Thank you to Elder Rasband and Sisters and the way they inspire everyone around them,” he wrote.
How Brigham Young University influenced Egor Dëmin’s faith
Deming is not a member of BYU-sponsored Faith Jesus Christ Church, but when he declared for the NBA draft last year, Deming talked about the impact his time and experiences at BYU had on his faith.
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“I came in here with faith and I left here with a bigger faith, a stronger faith in God, and if you believe that, if you pray and give it to the Lord, if you believe in Him, then good things will happen,” Deming said. “That was a big question for me, what was the season going to look like at the beginning of the year.
“I was really nervous and I didn’t know what to expect. But faith is my way out of those thoughts and I trust the process and I trust God… I trust He has a plan for each of us.”
Egor Dëmin recently returned to Utah
Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Dëmin (8) shoots a shot during an NBA game against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Friday, January 30, 2026. Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Deming became the league’s first rookie to hit a 3-pointer in 34 consecutive games on Friday as the Nets defeated the Utah Jazz 109-99.
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Deming shot 6-12 from beyond the arc and hit the 100th three-pointer of his NBA career.
Deming spoke to reporters before Friday’s game about his return to Utah, the Deseret News reported.
“It feels great. Super excited to be back here,” Deming said. “Obviously, expect a lot of BYU color tonight. Really grateful to be back here.”
Although Deming only spent one season at BYU, he praised the university’s culture and unity.
Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Dëmin (8) greets fans after an NBA game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on Friday, January 30, 2026 in Salt Lake City. Isaac Hale, Deseret News
“There’s a lot of culture at BYU,” he said. “A lot of people know how united the BYU organization in general is. Not just basketball, or just football, or whatever, but sports in general. I was fortunate enough to go to that school and make a lot of friends and a lot of people around me who all want the best for me and I want the best for them, so it’s just so exciting to be a part of the BYU family.”
