Atlanta Hawks select Derik Queen in 2025 NBA Draft, trade to New Orleans Pelicans

The professional basketball dream has come true for Derik Queen. With the No. 13 overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft, the former Maryland star center was selected by the Atlanta Hawks, who will trade him to the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Baltimore, Maryland native stayed home and starred with the Terrapins throughout the 2024-25 season. The team made a bit of a run in the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. He averaged 16.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists during his time with Maryland.

Additionally, Queen was a star recruit. He played high school basketball at Montverde Academy (Baltimore, MD), where he was a five-star prospect. He was the No. 14 overall recruit in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

As he moves to the next level, Queen will be expected to continue to grow and elevate into one of the top players in the NBA. After showcasing his skillset during his freshman season with Maryland, there’s no reason to think he can’t achieve that goal.

Time will tell what his ceiling is. Regardless, Derik Queen will have a chance to not just be a good NBA player, but a great one, as he moves to the next level in this journey.

What NBA Draft experts are saying about Derik Queen

Meanwhile, On3’s resident NBA Draft analyst James Fletcher III took a hard look at Derik Queen. He’s enthusiastic about his potential, ranking him as an impressive No. 9 on his big board.

“Derik Queen has a wide range depending on the team, which comes as no surprise given his unique skillset,” Fletcher III wrote. “The offensive package is impressive to say the least, with footwork and shot-making ability from the center position.

“Age – even as a freshman – and the need to build sets around him limit the market. Meanwhile, to convince teams to overhaul things to his benefit, more defense is needed

Fletcher III is far from the only one grinning at the idea of seeing Queen in the NBA. RotoWire.com made projections for many of the top prospects, and it’s evident they’re believers in his potential.

“Queen’s upside could rival Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper, but the Maryland product is a riskier selection,” Rotowire.com wrote. “Queen isn’t a true center, which isn’t a dealbreaker in today’s NBA, but it does raise questions: Which position will he play, and who will he be able to guard at the next level? Given his size, strength and face-up game, the easiest comparison to make is Zach Randolph, who excelled as an undersized big for the Grizzlies.

“Julius Randle (6-9, 249) and Alperen Sengun (6-11, 243) are two current players who have similar builds to Queen, but they have drastically different styles. Queen has the skills and potential to develop into either of those players, but it’s unclear what skill set he’ll prioritize at the next level.”