Derrick Queen was top-of-the-line facilities within the 2025 NBA Draft, and his March insanity solidified his place as an elite outlook.
Within the 2025 NBA Draft, the one assure seems to be the Cooper Flag’s first total transfer. Rutgers’ Dylan Harper is second on most draft boards, however the Scarlet Knights completed 15-17 within the season and missed the NCAA Event. Most individuals nonetheless have Harper and Ace Bailey close to the highest, however there are many high-level gamers who will probably be chosen early.
Maryland’s Derrick Queen is among the finest facilities within the draft. He and Duke’s Kaman Mallach have been nearer to the highest of the draft board all through the season, however Queen seems to shine when the lights are brightest, highlighted by a 31-point outing in opposition to Michigan within the Massive 10 Convention Event.
After an awesome 2024 draft class, the 2025 rookie is poised to be the most effective in current reminiscence, and if the Queen lands in the fitting state of affairs, it might have an effect on profitable from day one. He’ll seemingly be a lottery decide, however will fall exterior the highest seven.
- Age/Date of Start: 20 (December 27, 2004)
- nationality: Individuals
- Top/Weight: 6ft 9, 246lbs
- Faculty: Maryland Terrapin
- Profession statistics: 16.5 factors, 9.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 metal, 1.1 blocks, 52.6 fg%, 20 3pt%
- NCAA Event Statistics: 18.7 factors, 8.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.7 metal, 1.3 blocks, 50 fg%, 42.9 3pt%
- Finest profession: 31 factors (Michigan State vs. 20 rebounds (Manhattan vs.), 5 assists (Rutgers vs. Villanova)
- NBA comparability: Zach Randolph, the poor man
The Queen lives in a giant second. He despatched out Colorado packaging within the thirty second spherical of the NCAA Event, hitting the primary buzzer beater of March’s madness.
He stood up on the chance with Wolverine within the Massive 10 match, however Terrapin was quick on a single level. Clearly he is prepared for the stress that comes with being within the NBA, and his highschool stint at Mount Verde Academy ought to painting a very good forewarning for him.
Exterior of his distinct psychological power, the Queen boasts an insane physicality within the tiny central half. He can work within the submit like the most effective participant of a bygone period and has the instruments to make the ground an area.
He’s additionally an underrated playmaker. When the protection collapses, he has no downside kicking the ball. In schools the place three-point taking pictures is just not automated, his help numbers do not inform all the story, however when he is surrounded by the wings of the elite NBA, he ought to be capable of benefit from it.
Standing at 6 toes 9, the Queen does not have the dimensions wanted to change into an NBA heart, however issues are saved to a minimal as gamers like Draymond Inexperienced and Randolph have managed to beat what’s missing in top.
If the shot does not seem, he turns into a really one-dimensional participant on assault, however most backup facilities shouldn’t destroy his profession.
The most important concern is surrounding his lack of athletic means. He can’t meet gamers on the edges, and is unable to accumulate the above defenders, and as an alternative chooses to move by them. Even Randolph and DeMarcus’ cousins did nicely, however they performed in an period when the host allowed some form of physicality.
For Queen to have an extended NBA profession, he should transfer the submit to enhance his taking pictures and to higher throw out the defender. If he can repair any of those issues, anticipate him to change into a stable participant regardless of some defensive points attributable to his lack of top.
In a super world, Queens are drafted as backup centres and play spots in both Elite Shot Blocker or ground house. If the Utah Jazz decides to commerce John Collins, the Queen can match, however the draft lottery must be at an obstacle as Utah is probably going to make use of the decide on high 5 gamers.
If the Indiana Pacers maintain Miles Turner, then the one wholesome facilities on their roster right now are Tony Bradley and Thomas Bryant. Queen was each upgrades, giving Tyrees Halliburton an alternative choice whereas sharing the ground nicely with Turner.
After all, the most effective guess is the San Antonio Spurs. After buying and selling Zach Collins for the Chicago Bulls on the De Aaron Fox Deal, the Spurs enter subsequent season with Victor Wenbagnama on their sole contract. They may re-sign Charles Bassy, Bismack Bijombo, or Sandro Mamkerashvili, and maybe carry again a kind of gamers, however the Spurs are the most suitable choice for the Queen.
The school star performs finest on ground spacers or shot blockers, and Wenbagnama is finest in each the league.
