Maryland men’s basketball has a trio of former first-round picks still active in the NBA with Kevin Huerter, Alex Len and Jalen Smith leading the way after Smith became the program’s last draft pick in the 2020 Draft. But Maryland freshman Derik Queen has a good chance of becoming the program’s next one.
Queen earned his first Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor on Monday, becoming the first Terp to do so since Jalen Smith did so back on March 11, 2019. Queen averaged 16.0 points on 65% shooting from the field and 8.5 rebounds in last week's wins. While the Baltimore native could opt to stick in College Park for two seasons, Queen found himself a frequent selection in recent mock drafts after being projected to land as high as eighth.
No Ceilings: 8th, Chicago Bulls
Tankathon: 11th, Sacramento Kings
NBA Draft Room: 21st, Memphis Grizzlies
ESPN: 24th overall, Dallas Mavericks
Bleacher Report: 33rd overall (2nd round) Boston Celtics
Queen is coming off his third 20-point game of the season after scoring 18 of his 22 points in the second-half comeback win vs. Villanova. After posting a final stat line of 22 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and one block, Queen also became the first NCAA Division I freshman center to lead his team in points, rebounds and assists in a game since Chet Holmgren led Gonzaga in all three categories on Feb. 5, 2022. It was also the first time at Maryland that a freshman at any position led the team in all three stats since Melo Trimble on Feb. 19, 2015.
“To be honest with you, he's such a talented player, the game comes easy to him. But I would say he was a little bit too lackadaisical, a little bit too cool in the first half, and I think he got a little pissed off in the second half,” head coach Kevin Willard said after the win. “And I think when he plays that way, he's as good as anybody there is. But when he comes out and he plays like lackadaisical, that's what happened. We didn't really change anything. We kept running the same play and get him with the elbow. And when he's angry and he's mad and he plays that way, he's a dominant player.”
Queen also has a chance to become one of four Montverde Academy products to become a first-round pick alongside Cooper Flagg (unnamed), Liam McNeeley (UConn) and Asa Newell (Georgia).
Related Links