Derik QueenNew Orleans Saints · #22
Derik Queen is a skilled, playmaking rookie center for the New Orleans Pelicans, drafted 13th in 2025 out of Maryland, where he was Big Ten Freshman of the Year. A Baltimore native with rare passing ability for a big, he averaged around 12 points, 7 rebounds, and nearly 4 assists as a rookie — and became the first rookie center in NBA history to record a 30-point triple-double.
Derik Queen — the report card
Read his whole game at a glance, then dive into any skill. Grades from the DNA model + real production.
Where Derik Queen stands
Live ladders from the Balladex models, and what he's chasing. Rankings recompute nightly from real production, accolades, and search demand.
Derik Queen — every number, three levels deep
Headline → metric → the raw history behind it. Real career data; tracking-only metrics labeled.
How the model sees Derik Queen
Projection = per-minute rate × projected minutes. Rates are recency- and health-weighted, aged along a per-stat curve, and adjusted for live usage/role. No black box — every number shows its work.
Derik Queen career stats, season by season
| Season | GP | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 81 | 25.0 | 11.7 | 7.1 | 3.7 | .473 | .261 |
| Career | 81 | 25.0 | 11.7 | 7.1 | 3.7 |
The Lab
Every number, live and interactive. Real career data; models labeled.
Are the New Orleans Saints built to win?
Team projection rolled up from the roster + last-season baselines — and what it means for his role.
The Ballad of Derik Queen
Birth to now — the making of a legend, narrated and scored.
The beginning
A skilled, playmaking rookie center — passing and scoring for the Pelicans.
Turning pro
Drafted 13th overall, 2025 as a Center.
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A skilled, playmaking rookie center — passing and scoring for the Pelicans.
Chapter
Big Ten Freshman of the Year at Maryland, Queen hit an NCAA buzzer-beater before being drafted 13th in 2025.
Chapter
Drafted by Atlanta and traded to New Orleans, he's a skilled playmaking big.
Off the court
- Height
- 6' 9"
- Weight
- 250 lbs
- College
- Maryland
- Experience
- 1st Season
- Draft
- 13th overall, 2025
- Born
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Age
- 22
- Jersey
- #22
Queen is a Baltimore product whose local pride was a draft-night storyline — a St. Frances Academy and Montverde star and McDonald's All-American Game Co-MVP who carried his city's basketball tradition to the NBA lottery. He overcame a Summer League wrist surgery to play a full rookie season.
His on-court identity is skilled, playmaking center play — a 6-foot-9 big with unusual passing and ball-handling for his size, interior scoring, and rebounding, a rare offensive hub in the frontcourt. His perimeter shooting (limited in college) and defensive consistency are the developmental frontiers, but his feel and offensive skill give him a high ceiling as a foundational big for the Pelicans.
A skilled, playmaking center — passing, interior scoring, and rebounding with rare feel.
Derik Queen — frequently asked
The questions people ask most about Derik Queen, answered.
