### Maryland's Derik Queen: A Rising Star Set for the NBA Draft Derik Queen, a standout freshman center for the Maryland Terrapins, has made headlines as he prepares to enter the 2025 NBA Draft. After an impressive season where he was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Queen is projected to be a top-five pick, showcasing his potential as a future NBA star. His decision to go pro comes after a season where he averaged 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds, significantly contributing to Maryland's success in the NCAA tournament, including a memorable game-winning shot against Colorado State [https://www.si.com/college/maryland/basketball/maryland-basketball-freshman-derik-queen-projected-as-a-top-5-pick-in-2025-nba-draft-according-to-analyst]. ### Breakdown of Derik Queen's NBA Draft Journey 1. **Announcement of Draft Entry** - Queen officially declared for the NBA Draft on April 5, 2025, during an appearance on ESPN's SportsCenter, expressing confidence in his readiness to transition to professional basketball [https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/04/05/derik-queen-maryland-nba-draft]. 2. **Performance Highlights** - Throughout the season, Queen demonstrated exceptional skills, averaging 16.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks over 36 games [https://sports.yahoo.com/article/maryland-freshman-derik-queen-listed-213051663.html]. - His standout moment came during the NCAA tournament, where he scored 27 points in a Sweet 16 matchup against Florida, solidifying his reputation as a clutch player [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/maryland_star_freshman_entering_nba_draft_where_is_he_projected_to_get_selected/s1_17201_42010351]. 3. **Draft Projections** - Analysts have consistently ranked Queen as a top prospect, with many predicting he will be selected within the top five picks of the upcoming draft [https://www.si.com/college/maryland/basketball/maryland-basketball-derik-queen-makes-nba-draft-decision-on-scott-van-pelt-show]. - His performance in the NCAA tournament has notably boosted his draft stock, with some mock drafts placing him as high as the No. 2 pick [https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/04/09/nba-draft-derik-queen-maryland-experts-predict-landing-spot]. ### Supporting Evidence of Queen's Impact and Potential - **Statistical Performance**: - **Points per Game**: 16.5 - **Rebounds per Game**: 9.0 - **Assists per Game**: 1.9 - **Steals per Game**: 1.1 - **Blocks per Game**: 1.1 - **NCAA Tournament Points**: 56 total, including 27 against Florida [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/maryland-freshman-big-man-derik-queen-says-hes-entering-the-nba-draft/article_1874cf1a-b4e7-5466-afd2-1eafb9b9788e.html]. ### Conclusion: A Bright Future Ahead for Derik Queen In summary, **Derik Queen's decision to enter the NBA Draft marks a significant step in his basketball career**. His impressive freshman season, highlighted by strong performances and accolades, positions him as a top prospect. The following points encapsulate his journey: 1. **Queen's Announcement**: He declared for the draft on April 5, 2025, showcasing confidence in his abilities [https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/44541115/maryland-queen-projected-top-10-pick-enter-nba-draft]. 2. **Statistical Excellence**: Averaging 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds, he proved to be a key player for Maryland [https://www.si.com/college/maryland/basketball/maryland-basketball-derik-queen-makes-nba-draft-decision-on-scott-van-pelt-show]. 3. **Draft Projections**: Analysts predict he will be a top-five pick, reflecting his potential impact in the NBA [https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/04/09/nba-draft-derik-queen-maryland-experts-predict-landing-spot]. As he prepares for the next chapter, Queen's journey from college basketball to the NBA is one to watch closely.