You’ve probably seen the highlights of Derik Queen at Maryland by now. He’s the guy who looks like he’s playing at 75% speed while everyone else is sprinting, yet somehow, he ends up with 20 points and 10 rebounds before you even realize he's checked into the game.
It's weird.
In a world of "freak athletes" and 7-footers who move like guards, Queen is a throwback. He’s a Baltimore native who spent his high school years winning a national title at Montverde Academy alongside guys like Cooper Flagg, and honestly, he was often just as important to that team's success as the bigger names. But as we look at his professional outlook, the Derik Queen scouting report becomes a bit of a puzzle. Is he the next Alperen Şengün, or is he a "tweener" who will struggle to find a home in the modern NBA?
The Skill Set: A Masterclass in Below-the-Rim Finesse
Let’s be real: Derik Queen isn't going to win a dunk contest. At the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, his vertical numbers were... let's just say "modest." We’re talking about a 23.5-inch no-step vertical. For a center, that’s basically a phone book jump.
But watch him play for five minutes and you'll see why scouts are still obsessed.
His footwork is disgusting. He uses these little pivots, shoulder fakes, and head twitches that send defenders flying the wrong way. He’s 6’10” and nearly 250 pounds, but he moves with a lightness that doesn't make sense for his frame.
Why the Offense Is Legitimate
At Maryland, Queen put up serious numbers as a freshman: 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. He wasn't just catching lobs. He was the hub.
- Elite Passing: He is arguably the best passing big man in his class. He sees the floor like a point guard. If you double-team him in the post, he’s hitting the weak-side cutter before the second defender even arrives.
- Touch: His touch around the rim is soft as butter. He shot over 52% from the field, mostly on a diet of hooks, floaters, and crafty layups.
- The Handle: You don’t often see a guy his size grab a rebound and lead the break himself. Queen can actually dribble. It's not just "big man dribbling"—it’s functional, North-South ball handling.
He’s a player who processes the game two steps ahead of everyone else. That "feel" is something you can't teach. You either have it or you don't, and Queen has it in spades.
The Defensive Dilemma: Can He Survive?
Here is where the Derik Queen scouting report gets tricky. The NBA is a league of space and pace. If you can't move your feet on the perimeter, teams will hunt you in the pick-and-roll until you're forced off the floor.
Queen is a "drop" coverage big. Period.
He doesn't have the lateral quickness to switch onto a guy like Ja Morant or Tyrese Maxey. If he’s caught on an island, it’s usually a bucket for the offense. His rim protection is also more about "verticality" and being a big body rather than being a high-flying shot blocker. He averaged about 1.1 blocks per game at Maryland, which is fine, but it’s not exactly "anchor of the defense" territory.
The "Body" Project
To his credit, Queen has worked on his conditioning. He looked much leaner at Maryland than he did as a high school junior. But he still lacks that "twitch." He’s a "ground-bound" player.
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If he’s going to succeed defensively at the next level, he has to be elite at positioning. He has to be the guy who’s always in the right spot because he knows the play before it happens. Think of a guy like Kevin Love or Nikola Jokić in their early years—they weren't jumping over anyone, but they used their brains and their bulk to survive.
The Comparison Game: Şengün or Sullinger?
Everyone wants to find the next "unicorn," but Queen is more of a "dinosaur" that evolved to survive in 2026.
The popular comparison is Alperen Şengün. It makes sense. Both are undersized centers with elite passing, incredible post footwork, and questionable athleticism. The difference? Şengün is a bit more of a "bully" in the post and has a slightly more refined face-up game.
Some scouts look at him and see Jared Sullinger. Sullinger was a beast at Ohio State—super skilled, great hands, but the lack of "pop" eventually caught up to him in the NBA.
Then there's the DeMarcus Cousins comparison (the Kings version, not the post-injury version). Queen wears his heart on his sleeve. He’s emotive. He gets the crowd going. He has that "dog" in him that you want in a franchise centerpiece.
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Breaking Down the Numbers
If you're a data person, Queen's profile is a bit of a rollercoaster.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 16.5 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 9.0 |
| Field Goal % | 52.6% |
| Free Throw % | 76.6% |
| 3-Point % | 20.0% |
The free-throw percentage is the silver lining. Shooting 76% from the line suggests that his jumper isn't broken. If he can eventually stretch that out to the three-point line, his value triples. Right now, he’s a non-threat from deep (20%), but the mechanics are there.
What the Future Holds
So, where does he get drafted?
Most mock drafts have him anywhere from the late lottery to the early 20s. A team like the Atlanta Hawks or Oklahoma City Thunder—teams that value passing and "basketball IQ"—would be a fascinating fit.
He isn't a "plug and play" prospect for every system. You can't just throw him into a high-switching defense and expect him to thrive. You have to build a bit of a "shell" around him. But if you do, you're getting a secondary playmaker who can collapse a defense and make everyone on the court better.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Scouts
If you’re watching Queen as he prepares for the next level, keep an eye on these three specific things:
- The Mid-Range Jump Shot: If he starts hitting the elbow jumper consistently, he becomes impossible to guard in the short roll.
- Pick-and-Roll Navigation: Can he improve his footwork enough to "show and recover" rather than just sitting in a deep drop?
- Conditioning: Does he maintain his weight throughout an 82-game season? The NBA travel schedule is a different beast than the Big Ten.
Derik Queen is a throwback to an era of "big man basketball" that many thought was dead. He’s proving that skill, vision, and a high IQ can still win games, even if you aren't jumping out of the gym. He’s a polarizing prospect, but he’s easily one of the most fun players to evaluate in years.
To track his progress, follow his official G League or NBA summer league stats once the season kicks off. Watching how he handles the speed of professional guards in transition will be the ultimate "tell" for his long-term career.