Where Derik Queen stands in 2025 NBA Draft after SportsCenter announcement

Maryland men’s basketball freshman Derik Queen made his long-awaited yet expected decision official on Friday night after announcing his decision to enter the 2025 NBA Draft, becoming the first one-and-done in the program since Diamond Stone in 2016.

Now Queen will look to become one of the program’s highest-ever draft picks while ESPN rated Queen the tenth-best overall prospect ahead of his decision. We take a look at where he’s projected to land with his official announcement:

USA Today: 4th pick

Bleacher Report: 5th pick

Yahoo: 6th pick

CBS Sports: 9th pick

Tankathon: 10th pick

NBADraft.net: 12th pick

The former five-star freshman will look to become the program’s highest draft pick since Alex Len went fifth overall back in 2013, though USA Today’s projection would make him the highest since Steve Francis went second in the 1999 NBA Draft.

But the decision also came after days of teasing his stay-or-go announcement in the days after Buzz Williams was named the program’s next head coach, cementing what’s been expected since arguably his 22 point and 20 rebound debut vs. Manhattan.

The Baltimore native only went on to lead the nation’s highest-scoring starting five after averaging 16.5 points and nine rebounds through his freshman season. It took until his final game in a Maryland uniform to set the program’s freshman scoring record with 594 points this season after he capped off his career with 27 points and seven rebounds vs. Florida in the Sweet 16. Of course, Maryland’s first Sweet 16 appearance since 2016 was all made possible by none other than Queen himself after his bank shot lifted the Terps over Colorado State, 72-71, in Seattle.

During the season, Queen drew several honors as he steadily rose into the top-five conversation in the upcoming NBA Draft, ending his career named to the NABC All-District First Team, All-Big Ten First Team and Big Ten All-Freshman selection. He also became the first Terp named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Game after helping the Terps reach the semifinals, their first appearance since 2016.

Related Links