The New Orleans Pelicans, with a new management group, really like Maryland freshman big man Derik Queen, source told @TheFieldOf68.
The Pelicans have the 7th overall pick in the draft.
Queen is a skilled big man who averaged 16.5 points and 9 boards for the Terps.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 18, 2025
Former Maryland center Derik Queen is reportedly drawing interest from the New Orleans Pelicans ahead of the 2025 NBA draft, according to Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68.
Queen was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, averaging 16.5 points, nine rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks in 36 games on 52.6% shooting from the field. He helped lead the Terrapins to their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2016.
The 6-foot-10 standout is highly touted for his versatility on offense and ability to score in various ways. He is a tremendous competitor and demonstrated throughout the year his ability to impact games on defense, traits that some believe make him the best big man in the draft.
Queen, also an AP All-American honorable mention, set the program freshman scoring record (594 points) after registering 12 20-point games and 15 double-doubles, which led all first-year players. He ranked sixth in scoring average among Power Four freshmen.
Queen competed in the combine last month, registering a 7-foot wingspan in the anthropometric measurement testing. He dazzled with that length with the Terrapins, another key trait that makes him an intriguing prospect at the next level.
The 20-year-old is among the prospects who have worked out with the Pelicans. The team has also hosted several other projected first-rounders, including Nique Clifford (Colorado State), Cedric Coward (Washington State), Egor Demin (BYU) and Kon Knueppel (Duke), among others.
New Orleans, led by new vice president Joe Dumars, acquired a second first-round pick on Tuesday, the 23rd overall selection from Indiana. The group appears to be set on adding two rookies for next season and could be zeroing in on Queen in the lottery.
The draft will feature a two-night format for the second consecutive year, with the first round scheduled for June 25 and the second round for June 26 in Brooklyn, New York.