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Maryland basketball's Derik Queen might still have braces, but the teenager's game is plenty grown up.
The 20-year-old forward has been not only one of the best true freshmen in college basketball this season, but also one of the top players in general. The Big Ten Freshman of the Year was also a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2025.
REQUIRED READING: Derik Queen hits game-winning shot to send Maryland to Sweet 16
Queen, a former five-star recruit, has certainly met expectations, and maybe even exceeded them, in his first college season. Now, the Terrapins will ask a lot of him when they look to upset No. 1 seed Florida in the Sweet 16 of the men's NCAA Tournament on Thursday.
Here's everything to know about Queen, one of the best remaining players in March Madness:
Queen is a 6-foot-10 forward for Maryland, and has been dominant in the NCAA Tournament so far.
Queen put up 12 points with 15 rebounds, three assists and two blocks in the Terrapins' opening-round win over 13-seed Grand Canyon. He then turned around and dropped 17 points with six rebounds and two blocks against 12-seed Colorado State in the second round.
Oh, and he made a game-winning fadeaway shot off the glass for the 72-71 win over the Rams.
Queen has let his personality shine in March Madness this season, becoming a name big enough for LeBron James to even mention his name in a recent appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show." His big shot, paired with his infectious personality and big smile was enough for Dairy Queen to ink Queen to an NIL deal, hence the similar names.
Here are Queen's season averages in his first college season:
Queen is averaging 16.2 points with 9.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 blocks per game this season. He's also expected to be at least a top 20 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Queen is a bit older for his class, as he turned 20 years old on Dec. 27. He was born in 2004.
Here are the latest NBA draft projections for Queen from numerous mock drafts:
For those who have followed Queen closely from his time as a high school recruit, it's not all too surprising to see him performing on college basketball's grandest stage. The 240-pound post presence was the No. 12-ranked player and No. 3 center in the 2024 recruiting class, per 247Sports' Composite rankings.
The McDonald's All-American was later named co-MVP of the showcase game that features the top high school talent in the country, as the do-it-all big poured in 23 points with eight rebounds and five assists, along with three steals and two blocks.
Queen played his final three seasons of high school at Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, although he hails from Baltimore. Fans might also recognize some of his prep school teammates, as he played alongside Duke's Cooper Flagg, UConn's Liam McNeeley and Georgia's Asa Newell last year.
Each of those four true freshmen this season averaged double figures for their teams, and each of them were on teams that made the NCAA Tournament this season. Flagg, the projected No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft, is also one of the top contenders for national player of the year this season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Derik Queen? Stats, recruiting for Maryland star freshman
Continue reading...
The 20-year-old forward has been not only one of the best true freshmen in college basketball this season, but also one of the top players in general. The Big Ten Freshman of the Year was also a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2025.
REQUIRED READING: Derik Queen hits game-winning shot to send Maryland to Sweet 16
Queen, a former five-star recruit, has certainly met expectations, and maybe even exceeded them, in his first college season. Now, the Terrapins will ask a lot of him when they look to upset No. 1 seed Florida in the Sweet 16 of the men's NCAA Tournament on Thursday.
Here's everything to know about Queen, one of the best remaining players in March Madness:
Who is Derik Queen?
Queen is a 6-foot-10 forward for Maryland, and has been dominant in the NCAA Tournament so far.
Queen put up 12 points with 15 rebounds, three assists and two blocks in the Terrapins' opening-round win over 13-seed Grand Canyon. He then turned around and dropped 17 points with six rebounds and two blocks against 12-seed Colorado State in the second round.
Oh, and he made a game-winning fadeaway shot off the glass for the 72-71 win over the Rams.
Queen has let his personality shine in March Madness this season, becoming a name big enough for LeBron James to even mention his name in a recent appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show." His big shot, paired with his infectious personality and big smile was enough for Dairy Queen to ink Queen to an NIL deal, hence the similar names.
Derik Queen stats
Here are Queen's season averages in his first college season:
- 2024-25: 16.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists on 52.9% shooting. 1.1 blocks and 1.1 steals.
Queen is averaging 16.2 points with 9.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 blocks per game this season. He's also expected to be at least a top 20 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Derik Queen age
Queen is a bit older for his class, as he turned 20 years old on Dec. 27. He was born in 2004.
Derik Queen NBA mock draft
Here are the latest NBA draft projections for Queen from numerous mock drafts:
- The Athletic: First round, No. 9 overall to Chicago Bulls
- CBS Sports: First round, No. 16 overall to San Antonio Spurs/Utah Jazz
- ESPN: First round, No. 10 overall Chicago Bulls
Derik Queen recruiting
- National rank: No. 12 overall
- Positional rank: No. 3 center
- State rank: No. 2 player from Maryland
For those who have followed Queen closely from his time as a high school recruit, it's not all too surprising to see him performing on college basketball's grandest stage. The 240-pound post presence was the No. 12-ranked player and No. 3 center in the 2024 recruiting class, per 247Sports' Composite rankings.
The McDonald's All-American was later named co-MVP of the showcase game that features the top high school talent in the country, as the do-it-all big poured in 23 points with eight rebounds and five assists, along with three steals and two blocks.
Derik Queen high school
Queen played his final three seasons of high school at Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, although he hails from Baltimore. Fans might also recognize some of his prep school teammates, as he played alongside Duke's Cooper Flagg, UConn's Liam McNeeley and Georgia's Asa Newell last year.
Each of those four true freshmen this season averaged double figures for their teams, and each of them were on teams that made the NCAA Tournament this season. Flagg, the projected No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft, is also one of the top contenders for national player of the year this season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Derik Queen? Stats, recruiting for Maryland star freshman
Continue reading...
