Derik Queen

About

Derik Emanuel Queen (born December 27, 2004) is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Maryland Terrapins. He was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2024 class. He was drafted 13th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2025 NBA draft, but was traded to the Pelicans on draft night.

As a freshman, Queen attended Saint Frances Academy in his native Baltimore. On March 12, 2021, he scored a season-high 56 points in a 99–55 win over Annapolis Area Christian School. Queen averaged 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two blocks per game during the COVID-shortened season, leading the Panthers to a 15–1 record and an appearance in the Baltimore Catholic League title game. He was named the MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year for his performance. Following the season, Queen transferred to Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida. He received limited playing time as a sophomore due to the amount of talent on the team, which won its second straight GEICO Nationals title with a 60–49 win over Link Academy.
On December 9,…