Queen has performed like one of the top centers in the country despite being a freshman.
Name: Derik Queen
Class: Freshman
Height: 6-10
Position: Center
Statistics: 16.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.1 blocks. 59.5% FG, 12.5% 3PT, 78.2% FT
Maryland’s freshman center Derik Queen appears to be a lock first-round pick partway through one season in College Park. Queen is performing like one of the best big men in the country despite being new to college basketball.
Just how highly he gets picked will be an interesting case study into exactly what NBA front offices value. If a team prioritizes Queen’s strengths, he’ll likely go somewhere in the lottery. If a team focuses on what Queen doesn’t do well yet, he may find himself on their watch-list for the 2026 NBA Draft instead. It’s a true “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” situation.
So what are his strengths? Primarily, Queen is really good at basketball, which sometimes feels like an undervalued aspect when evaluating prospects’ games. His hands are incredible. He catches everything, he sucks in every available rebound.
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Queen has an elite feel for the game that is most evident in his passing. Similar to someone like Alperen Sengun, he’ll improve a team’s overall offense just by being a creator out of the high post. He also has advanced footwork in the post and great touch around the rim.
It’s that touch around the rim that gives evaluators hope he can improve on one of his current limitations: his perimeter shooting. NBA teams like their big men to be able to space the floor or protect the rim. Preferably both. As of this writing, those are probably the two biggest areas for improvement for Queen.
He’s currently shooting 12.5% from 3 and seemingly has many air-balls as close misses. On the bright side, he does have the soft touch needed to become a good shooter, an improved mid-range game, and encouraging results from the free-throw line, where he’s shooting just below 80%. He’s come a long way as a free-throw shooter in the last year which gives scouts hope he’ll continue to be able to expand his range.
Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images
Queen’s a little undersized to be an NBA center as he appears closer to 6-9 than the 6-10 he’s listed at. The expectation before the season was that he’d likely be primarily a drop-coverage big man. However, Maryland has been switching almost everything, and Queen, due largely to improved fitness, has held up pretty well when covering a quick guard. His lateral quickness has been a pleasant surprise and he uses that high feel for the game to anticipate opponents’ movements and beat them to spots.
It only takes one team to value the positives and I expect that will be the case for Queen somewhere in or around the lottery. He’s got a lot of untapped upside for a player with his already high level of production. And by all accounts, he’s good vibes and has an infectious and energetic personality. That seems like the kind of player worth betting on.
For more on Queen and his potential fit with the Washington Wizards and next to Alex Sarr, check out the latest Bleav in Wizards podcast.