Maryland center Derik Queen quickly became one of college basketball’s most intriguing prospects during the 2024-25 season, and his unwavering loyalty to the Terrapins program is earning him just as much respect as his game on the court. Despite head coach Kevin Willard’s controversial departure to Villanova, Queen has made it clear, he’s a Terp through and through.
At 6-foot-10 and 246 pounds, Queen dominated in his freshman campaign, racking up accolades that include Big Ten Freshman of the Year, All-Big Ten First Team, and NABC All-District First Team honors. In his final game in Maryland’s colors, Queen dropped 27 points, five rebounds, two steals, and an assist in a dramatic Sweet Sixteen matchup against No. 1 seed Florida.
A Polarizing Prospect in the NBA Draft
As Queen now turns his focus toward the NBA Draft, his stock is a hot topic among scouts. While his offensive talent is undeniable, teams are also considering unique factors, most notably, his age.
Despite being a true freshman, Queen is 20 years old, making him older than some current college juniors, including Illinois’ Kylan Boswell, and only a few days younger than GG Jackson, now in his second year in the NBA. Yet, what separates Queen from many other top prospects is not just his production; it’s his character.
When Kevin Willard announced his departure from Maryland to take over at Villanova, the news sent shockwaves through the Terrapins community. Initially praised for his commitment to the program, Willard later received backlash for poaching Maryland recruits and players, including Chris Jeffrey, Braden Pierce, and Malachi Palmer.
This is a basketball program that’s
built on 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, built on 𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙚 &
built on a 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙮!Let’s write our next chapter ✌️ pic.twitter.com/OWnDxgDvbe
— Kevin Willard (@KevinWillard) April 17, 2025
Despite the shake-up, Queen chose to stay above the noise. While he hasn’t shied away from expressing disappointment, famously telling Willard, “Still mad at you”, he’s taken a mature and loyal stance. Queen even stated he’ll cheer for Willard, though he’ll be doing it while wearing Maryland gear.
KEEP READING: ‘Starting to Like Him Already’ — Terps Fans Rally Behind Derik Queen’s Unexpected Praise for Buzz Williams
As NBA scouts continue to evaluate Queen’s readiness for the professional level, his combination of maturity, production, and poise positions him as one of the most well-rounded prospects in the 2025 draft class. No matter where he lands, one thing is certain: Queen’s heart will always be in College Park.
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