BYU Cougars Star Guard Egor Demin Has Done It Again, Making Major Announcement — Head Coach Kevin Young Reacts in a Terrible Way.
Chaos has erupted in Cougar Nation as Egor Demin, BYU’s electrifying star guard, stunned fans, teammates, and the entire athletic department with a jaw-dropping announcement — one that left even head football coach Kalani Sitake visibly shaken in what’s being described as a “terrible” and “unfiltered” reaction.
Though Young coaches football, his reaction has become part of the story — and the fallout.
During a mid-morning press conference that no one expected to be eventful, Demin strode confidently to the podium, dressed sharply in a BYU jacket and with an unfamiliar calmness in his voice. What came next sent shockwaves through the athletic world:
“Effective immediately, I am leaving BYU to pursue opportunities overseas,” Demin said. “This decision has been weighing on me, but I believe it’s time for me to take my game global and prepare for the next level.”
Gasps. Murmurs. Phones out. Reporters are frozen.
Demin, who has become a national name for his fast-paced style and clutch performances, had just pulled the plug on what many believed would be a historic junior year in Provo.
And then came Kalani Sitake — who, unaware of the announcement, was walking by the practice facility when he got the news from a staffer. Eyewitnesses say he stopped, turned, and muttered something under his breath before storming off.
Minutes later, cameras caught him shaking his head as he left the athletic complex, reportedly saying,
“This is ridiculous. No heads-up, no planning. Just… gone? That’s not how we build things here.”
Though Sitake has no official role with the basketball team, his visible frustration highlighted the ripple effect of Demin’s announcement — and the growing tension surrounding sudden player exits and NIL-driven decisions in college sports.
Inside sources say Coach Sitake had taken a personal interest in mentoring some of BYU’s top athletes across programs, including Demin, with an emphasis on loyalty and long–term vision. That may.