Derik Queen Reportedly Seen in NBA as 'an Intelligent Player Whose Potential is High'
Derik Queen is viewed as a prospect with high long-term potential heading into the 2025 NBA draft, according to ESPN's Jeremy Woo.
"His proponents around the league see an intelligent player whose potential is high in the long run," Woo reported Monday.
The Maryland center is coming off an impressive freshman season, averaging 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game while shooting 52.6 percent from the field.
Queen also stepped up during the Terrapins' Sweet 16 run in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, recording 18.7 points per game in three March Madness appearances.
He only connected on seven of his 35 attempts from three-point territory on the season, but his 76.6 free-throw percentage could indicate that he'll be able to gradually expand his range at the NBA level.
Queen is "in the mix" for teams within the "mid-lottery" range, per Woo.
The 20-year-old was projected to be picked by the Atlanta Hawks with the No. 13 overall selection in the most recent mock draft from Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman.
"Queen's skill level, scoring versatility and passing IQ have been strong enough indicators of offensive success that certain teams will be willing to look past his defensive limitations," Wasserman wrote.
While Queen may not be a flawless prospect, lottery teams could be willing to bet on his upside when the draft begins on June 25.
