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2025 NBA Draft: Derik Queen Scouting Report

Updated: 24 hours ago


Derik Queen, Maryland

Throughout the 2024-25 season, Babcock Hoops will provide comprehensive scouting reports on top 2025 NBA Draft prospects, analyzing their strengths, questions, and potential at the next level. Our reports offer an in-depth look at each player's development and draft outlook.


Derik Queen

Position: Forward/Center

College: Maryland

Class: Freshman

Height/Weight: 6'9", 248 lbs

Birthdate: December 27, 2004

High School: Montverde Academy (FL)


Player Overview


Derik Queen is a physical big man with strong post skills, excellent footwork, and impressive vision. Known for his passing ability out of the high post and from the low block, Queen stands out as a playmaker among his peers. He has a soft touch with both hands and a knack for quick decision-making, making him a versatile offensive weapon. Defensively, Queen uses his wide frame to contest shots and control the paint, though he can struggle against faster opponents. Improvement in shooting and defensive versatility will be key to his development.


"Derik Queen is a skilled big man, especially in the low post, and his commitment to improving his conditioning is evident—he’s noticeably slimmed down since high school. That progress, combined with a strong season on the court, has him in a good spot heading into the draft." — Matt Babcock, NBA Draft Analyst

Strengths


  • Post Playmaking: Queen excels at finding open teammates from the post, making him a key offensive facilitator.

  • Physicality & Positioning: He battles for positioning inside, using his size and strength effectively.

  • Footwork: His polished footwork allows him to create space and finish with both hands around the rim.

  • Quick Decisions: Queen makes fast reads out of the high post and in dribble hand-offs, adding to his offensive versatility.

  • Soft Touch: His touch around the basket, particularly with short hooks and floaters, enhances his scoring potential.


Concerns


  • Lack of Vertical Explosiveness: Queen’s limited vertical ability can hinder his rim protection and rebounding.

  • Developing Three-Point Shot: While his touch is promising, his outside shooting is still a work in progress.

  • Defensive Versatility: He can struggle with quicker players, especially in transition defense.


Questions


  • Sustainability of Conditioning: Is his trimmed-down body sustainable over the course of an NBA season and beyond?

  • Defending in Space: Can he stay in front of quicker players and hold his own in NBA pick-and-roll coverages?

  • Playmaking Translation: Will his passing ability remain a real asset against faster, more physical NBA defenses?

  • Offensive Scalability: How effective can he be without a consistent perimeter shot in modern NBA spacing?

  • Rim Protection Ceiling: Without vertical pop, can he become more than just a positional defender?


Bottom Line


Derik Queen offers an intriguing modern skill set for a big man, combining physical strength, advanced footwork, and high-level passing instincts. He consistently makes smart reads out of the post and high elbows, allowing him to function as a hub on offense. His soft touch around the basket and ability to finish with either hand give him dependable scoring tools, even without elite athleticism. While questions remain about his long-term defensive versatility and perimeter shooting, his overall feel for the game and offensive versatility make him one of the more skilled and polished bigs in the 2025 NBA Draft class. Continued improvement in his conditioning, mobility, and shooting range will be key as he looks to elevate his draft stock and carve out a role at the next level.

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