The 2025 NBA draft class is loaded with talent like Cooper Flagg, Tre Johnson, and Ace Bailey. Amid the hype, Maryland freshman, Derik Queen, stands out as one of the most unique and underrated prospects. Many scouts project him outside the top 10, falling closer to the 15th pick range, but any team passing on him in the lottery is making a massive mistake. His blend of size, playmaking, and offensive versatility makes him a valuable prospect who will thrive at the next level.
Queen stands at 6’10” with a strong frame and a lengthy 7’1” wingspan, longer than the NBA average player. His ability to dictate the flow of the game on the offensive end with his patience and awareness is a coveted skill for a versatile big. Queen is not just a traditional post-player, he has elite playmaking skills for his size.
This high level of court vision and passing ability is common among NBA big men like Alperen Şengün, Domantas Sabonis, and 3-time MVP Nikola Jokić. At the college level though, it’s rare to see a 6’10”, 20-year-old rookie prospect have such a deep toolbag. Once he reaches the NBA, Queen’s assist average will increase, as the inside-out, 3-point-oriented style of play will complement his post presence and court vision.
At the 4:25 mark in the first half of Maryland’s game against Penn State, Queen showcased his two-way impact. After setting a well-timed pick for teammate Ja’Kobi Gillespie, he rolled to the rim for an aggressive lob finish. On the next inbound, he immediately turned defense into offense by swatting away a shot from Penn State’s 7-footer, Yanic Konan Niederhauser. This 15-second stretch highlights Queen’s ability to control the game on both ends..
The Maryland big man thrives in the high and low post by showing a desire to catch, turn, and read the floor. He isn’t just a hard-nosed, bulldozing big; he plays with finesse, footwork, and elite touch around the basket. His efficiency speaks for itself, as Queen currently shoots over 55% from the field, and has recorded ten double-doubles this season.
Queen and Maryland hold a 22-7 record and sit in 4th place in the Big10 conference. The Terrapins are currently ranked No. 20 in the country following their recent 68-64 win over Penn State, where the big man posted 23 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, and 4 steals. His four steals marked a career-high in a season where the Baltimore native is averaging one block and one steal per game.
Critics argue that Queen’s defensive struggles and lack of three-point shooting could limit his impact in the NBA. While his defense needs refinement, his size, athleticism, and potential to improve show he can become a strong defender. Queen has struggled with lateral movement and often gets exposed in defensive switches against shifty guards. Concerns were also raised about players like Şengün and Sabonis, but both of these players have developed into impactful NBA All-Stars. With the right coaching, Queen has the athleticism and length to improve his perimeter defense and lateral speed.
As far as his shooting woes go, Queen doesn’t currently stretch the floor but history shows that big men can develop a respectable jumper over time. Aaron Gordon shot 27% from three his rookie season in the NBA, and currently is shooting 41.5% from beyond the arc— proof that big men can develop an outside shot. It’s also worth noting that several successful NBA bigs don’t rely on three-point shooting.
Draymond Green has built a Hall of Fame-worthy career despite being a poor outside shooter. Other examples include Bam Adebayo (career 3PT%- 15.8%) and Jarrett Allen (career 3PT%- 18.5%), who both have worked their way to become dominant big men. This is because of their defensive versatility, rebounding, playmaking, and finishing ability—areas where Queen excels.
The most exciting thing about Queen is that he’s still raw. He’s only a freshman, and with NBA-level coaching and some experience under his belt, his game will only expand. It’s not unrealistic to expect him to develop a respectable jumper in the first few years of his career. His size, ability to read defenses, control the pace, and score efficiently at all three levels suggests that he will thrive in the NBA. On the right team and with the right development, Derik Queen has the potential to be an NBA All-Star. Any team passing on him in the lottery may end up regretting it for years to come.
End Of My Queen Rant
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