GREAT NEWS: BYU Cougars men’s basketball Star Guard Egor Demin Stuns NCAA Men’s Basketball World, Rejects Jaw-Dropping $5.4 Million NIL Offer from Auburn Tigers, Alabama to Remain with BYU Cougars; After making the Bold Decision Head Coach Kevin Young Promised to make him the…

GREAT NEWS: BYU Cougars men’s basketball Star Guard Egor Demin Stuns NCAA Men’s Basketball World, Rejects Jaw-Dropping $5.4 Million NIL Offer from Auburn Tigers, Alabama to Remain with BYU Cougars; After making the Bold Decision Head Coach Kevin Young Promised to make him the…

GREAT NEWS: BYU Cougars Men’s Basketball Star Guard Egor Demin Stuns NCAA World, Rejects $5.4 Million NIL Offer from Auburn, Alabama to Remain with BYU; Coach Kevin Young Makes Bold Promise

In a jaw-dropping move that has sent shockwaves through the NCAA men’s basketball world, BYU Cougars’ rising star guard Egor Demin has officially turned down a staggering $5.4 million Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) offer reportedly presented by both Auburn and Alabama. The 6-foot-9 Russian-born phenom, widely regarded as one of the most dynamic and promising guards in college basketball, has made it crystal clear: loyalty, legacy, and love for the game mean more to him than a check.

This decision comes at a pivotal moment for BYU basketball, as the Cougars transition into a new era under newly-appointed head coach Kevin Young, who left his post as associate head coach of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns to take over the program. For many, Demin’s choice to stay is not only a statement about his belief in Young’s vision but also a symbol of a cultural shift in college basketball—where relationships and long-term growth are beginning to rival quick financial gain.

Following Demin’s announcement, Coach Kevin Young issued a strong public message of both gratitude and ambition. “Egor is the type of player you build a program around—not just because of his talent, but because of his character,” Young said. “He believes in what we’re building here, and I’ve promised him this: we’re going to make him the face of BYU basketball, a future first-round NBA Draft pick, and a national champion.”

Demin, who averaged 14.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in his freshman campaign, has quickly become a fan favorite in Provo. His unique blend of size, vision, and defensive versatility has drawn comparisons to international NBA stars like Josh Giddey and even Luka Dončić. Scouts already view him as a potential lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, but with this decision, Demin has emphasized that his development and the Cougars’ success come first.

Sources close to Demin say he was “deeply moved” by the way BYU’s staff, players, and community rallied around him, especially amid growing pressure from outside programs offering not just NIL deals but entire lifestyle packages to lure him away. One insider noted, “This wasn’t just about basketball. Auburn and Alabama rolled out the red carpet—cars, condos, endorsements—but Egor wanted to finish what he started.”

Now, with Demin officially committed to the Cougars for at least another season, expectations are soaring. BYU’s recruiting momentum, coupled with Young’s NBA pedigree and Demin’s leadership, has suddenly vaulted the program into national conversations.

For a program long respected for its integrity and spirit, this is more than a win—it’s a declaration. And as Demin himself said in a statement: “I came to BYU to grow, to lead, and to win. We’re just getting started.”