Observing Bryce Hopkins, Egor Demin, and Jabri Abdur-Rahim in the Providence-BYU Game

December 4th, 2024

Yesterday, I took the time to watch BYU’s highly touted 6-8 freshman point guard, Egor Demin play against Providence. Bryce Hopkins came back from an ACL injury that he suffered last season, so it was good to see him back in action. It was a close game for a while, but Providence’s strong all-around play, especially in the second half helped them run away with a blowout win over BYU, and their stifling defense ended up causing Demin to go 0 for 10 from the field and to have a bad shooting night. Also, Providence got strong contributions from many of their players. Here are my thoughts on how Hopkins, Demin, and others fared in this game.

Bryce Hopkins returned to score 16 points, and he also had 5 rebounds and 4 assists to lead Providence to an 83-64 win over Providence. (Photo: Eric Rueb/Providence Journal/USA Today Network via Imagn Images, via KPVI)

Bryce Hopkins had a strong showing to help lead his team to a double-digit win over BYU. He played very well in his first game back from a knee injury, and Hopkins continually made smart decisions as he excelled as a scorer and playmaker to help get his team a big victory.

Hopkins did a very good job of scoring off the dribble. He has good strength, body control, and finishing ability, and he would score on strong drives to the hoop, and he also would use subtle ball handling maneuvers and find ways to frequently get to the free throw line. While he didn’t make a three-pointer in this game, there was one instance where he would’ve made an open deep three, but it didn’t count because the ball was still in his hands when the shot clock expired, so it ended up being a shot clock violation.

He also passed and handled the ball well. Hopkins is an unselfish player that consistently found the open man, and he also would make drive and kick passes to find open shooters and set up scoring chances for them. He also took good care of the basketball, and he did not commit a single turnover on offense. He also showed a satisfactory ability to rebound the basketball. In general, Hopkins played very well in Providence’s blowout win over BYU, and Hopkins is a strong, energetic forward that could be a solid pick for an NBA team in the first round of the 2025 draft.

BYU’s 6-8 freshman point forward, Egor Demin has been getting top 5 pick buzz lately, but his combined shooting struggles against Ole Miss, NC State, and now Providence are concerning. In this game, he scored 6 points on 0 of 10 shooting, as he had 3 rebounds and 2 assists in his team’s 83-64 loss to Providence. (Photo: Eric Canha/Imagn Images, via Clayton Times Daily)

Egor Demin put forth a lackluster performance in his team’s blowout loss to Providence. To watch such a highly touted prospect shoot the ball this poorly on offense was especially frustrating and maddening, especially since he’s been regarded as a potential top 5 pick by some for the 2025 draft. That he’s seemed to pad his numbers against low level competition and has since shot the ball poorly in the last three games against solid teams suggests that draft analysts ought to cool off from the Demin hype right now.

Demin did not shoot the ball very well, as he missed all of his field goals on offense. He struggled to connect from the outside, and he took some ill-advised, rushed pull-up threes from deep that seemed unlikely to go in. He also tended to miss on contested fadeaway jumpers from the post, and Demin often seemed to struggle to generate much separation when he would look to score off the dribble. On the bright side, he showed a knack for contorting his body and flailing to draw fouls upon his defenders both on isolation and post-up plays to frequently get to the free throw line, even if it seemed like he did not deserve those calls.

Also, Demin showcased satisfactory playmaking skills in this game. Demin has very good court sense, as he would make sharp passes both off the dribble and out of the post to set up plenty of scoring chances for his teammates. He did a good job of consistently finding the open man. On one play though, he struggled to get separation as he got the ball late in the clock, and he didn’t get his shot off on time, which led to a shot clock violation. Another time, he tried to push the ball up the court, but a defender swiped the ball away from behind to cause him to commit the turnover.

He also was able to chip in to get a few boards on the defensive end. Demin also played satisfactory defense in this game. He would use his length and activity to stay with his man and contest shots around the basket to force misses, and he also deflected a pass another time. On the downside, there was one play where he sagged a bit too far off his man, which led his team to give up a three-point basket. Another time, he got beat off the dribble, which led his team to give up a score at the rim.

Overall, Egor Demin didn’t have a great game, as his poor shooting performance caused him to be sidelined for pretty much most of the second half, especially down the stretch, and it will be imperative for him to regain the shooting stroke that he showed off early in the season. That said, he could be a really solid player if he does find his shooting stroke again. Most likely, he will probably end up being a mid first round pick due to possessing good size, court vision, and above average athletic gifts, and Demin may have a similar game to Chicago Bulls’ guard Josh Giddey, but the developing a reliable outside shot and improving his shot selection could help Demin go a long way, as that could enable him to have a very successful future in the NBA.

Jabri Abdur-Rahim also turned in a strong performance to help lead Providence to a blowout win over BYU. Son of former Vancouver Grizzlies star Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Jabri Abdur-Rahim really excelled as a shooter and scorer, as his floor spacing skills were superb in this game.

Abdur-Rahim shot the ball very well, especially from beyond the arc. He showed a knack for making open, spot-up threes off the catch, especially from the corners and from deep. He also was able to run quickly off a ball screen to make a corner three early on. Plus, he also was able to pull up to make a mid-range jumper. He also would drive hard to the basket to get many free throws in this game.

Also, he was able to make a drive and kick pass to showcase some of his playmaking skills. He also did an adequate job of rebounding the basketball. Abdur-Rahim also played satisfactory defense in this game. He was able to make an impressive block from behind to prevent an opponent from scoring in the post. On one play though, he trailed an opposing ball handler to give up a score off the dribble.

In summary, Abdur-Rahim had his strongest game by far, as he really played well to help his team get a blowout win. On the season though, he hasn’t put up tremendous numbers, but Abdur0Rahim is an athletic forward that could project into a 3 and D role in the NBA.

Kanon Catchings didn’t have a very good game in his team’s loss to Providence. While he was able to make some plays on both ends of the floor, especially early on, he didn’t shoot the ball very well, and like his teammate Demin, Catchings took some questionable shots and had a bad shooting night overall.

Catchings was able to use a jab step to make an open three-pointer. However, he tended to miss on rushed shots around the basket, and he also passed up an open three-point shot only to drive in and miss on a mid-range leaner later on. He also struggled to make shots off the dribble, as he had trouble scoring in traffic in this game.

He also passed and handled the ball well. He is an unselfish player that would consistently find the open man, and he also set a solid off-ball screen for a teammate once. Also, Catchings did a good job of rebounding the basketball. Plus, Catchings also defended well. He did a good job of rotating to block shots to help his team protect the paint. He also would deflect passes and poke balls away to nearly get steals. He also contested a three to force a miss.

Overall, Catchings is an athletic, energetic swingman that was able to show some playmaking, rebounding, and defensive skills, but he didn’t shoot the ball very well in this game. Still, he is a talented prospect that played well in the OTE last season, and he could be an intriguing selection for an NBA team if he’s available in the second round of the 2025 draft.

Providence’s 7-0 sophomore center, Christ Essandoko also quietly had a solid showing in this game. He is a strong, mobile big man that showed some intriguing skills early on. He was able to make an open bank three to showcase a promising jump shot. He also managed to score on a thunderous dunk. Plus, he also passed the ball well. He was able to find a cutter to notch an assist, as he is a patient player that has solid court vision. He also did a good job of making passes out of the post.

Also, he rebounded the ball well. On the downside, he would sometimes play too aggressively, which led him to be foul prone on the defensive end. Overall, Essandoko is an intriguing prospect, as his promising offensive skill set combined with having tremendous size and strength could enable him to be a rotational big man in the NBA in the future.

Providence’s 6-2 junior point guard, Jayden Pierre also played well in his team’s win over BYU. He shot the ball very well from the field, as he excelled at making threes, and he can do so both off the catch and dribble. He also excelled as a scorer off the dribble, and he also scored on a quick cut to the hoop. He also showcased adequate playmaking skills, as he would find the open man to get some assists, but sometimes he would over-dribble, which led him to commit a turnover once.

Also, Pierre was able to get a couple of boards in this game. He also defended well. He was quite active defensively, as he would poke balls and defect passes to get steals and deflections. Overall, Pierre quietly is having a solid junior season, and he is a crafty, skilled playmaker that could project well into a backup point guard role at the NBA level.

Bensley Joseph played very well to help lead Providence to a double-digit win over BYU. He is an agile, skilled 6-2 senior point guard that primarily excelled as a shooter and scorer in this game. He showed a knack for making threes, as he can do so both off the catch and dribble, and he has a lot of range on his shot, and he also would score on tough, running layups off the dribble. He also showed off adequate playmaking skills, as he can make passes off the dribble to find the open man. However, he sometimes would over-dribble, which led him to commit a couple of traveling violations.

He also was able to chip in to get a few boards for his team. Joseph also played adequate defense in this game. He was able to deflect a pass, but another time, he was called for fouling an opposing ball handler. Overall, Joseph excelled as a shot maker in this game, and he is a three-level scorer that consistently made shots efficiently on offense. He’ll need to be a more consistent player in games, but his ability to make shots combined with having above average athletic gifts could enable him to compete for a roster spot in the NBA in the future.

Providence’s 6-6 senior swingman, Wesley Cardet Jr. quietly played well in his team’s win over BYU. He shot the ball very efficiently in the limited touches he received on offense. He managed to use a hesitation move to score on a strong drive to the basket, and he excelled as a scorer off the dribble. He also was able to knock down a corner three to showcase his shooting skills.

On the downside, he was a bit turnover prone. On one play, he threw a hasty pass that got intercepted. While he didn’t grab many rebounds, he was able to get an offensive board. Defensively, he looked to be about average at best. Sometimes though, he would play too aggressively, which would lead him to commit touch fouls. Overall, Cardet is a strong, mobile swingman that can shoot and score the basketball. He’ll need to improve his decision-making skills and defense, but his ability to make shots could enable him to make an NBA team’s summer league roster sometime down the road.

Rich Barron played well in limited minutes to help Providence get the win in this game. He excelled as a spot-up shooter from beyond the arc, as he would make open threes off the catch. He also made a drive and kick pass to notch an assist. Overall, he is a strong, mobile swingman whose ability to knock down jump shots could enable him to make an NBA team’s summer league roster sometime down the road.

Trevin Knell also played fairly well for his team in their loss to Providence. Knell is a 6-5 spot-up shooter that excelled at making open threes off the catch. He also managed to run quickly off a ball screen to make a corner three in this game. He didn’t really do much else, but his ability to knock down threes could enable him to compete for a roster spot in the NBA sometime down the road.

BYU’s 6-4 junior guard, Dawson Baker turned in a strong showing in his team’s loss to Providence. He excelled as a three-point shooter, and as a scorer off the dribble. He showed off a solid floater game, and he is a crafty scorer that would finish plays around the basket to score. He also helped out on the glass to get some defensive boards. Overall, his sharpshooting prowess helped keep his team in the game for a bit in the second half, and while Baker doesn’t have elite physical tools nor is an elite playmaker, his ability to make jump shots could enable him to carve out a lengthy career in professional basketball.

All in all, those are my thoughts on how Hopkins, Demin, Abdur-Rahim, and others fared in this game. Thanks for reading.