Maryland center Derik Queen (25) celebrates a play against Michigan during the second half of Big Ten Tournament semifinal at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. on Saturday, March 15, 2025. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Derik Queen notches double-double in NBA Summer League debut

Originally posted on Maryland Terrapins on SI
By Chris Breiler | Last updated Jul 11, 2025 7:14 PM ET

Fans finally got their first look at Derik Queen in action for the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday, and it was a promising debut for the 13th overall pick. Despite a shaky start where he went scoreless in the first half (and committed seven turnovers for the game), Queen finished strong, recording a double-double with 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including 1-of-1 from three-point range, along with 10 rebounds.

First @NBASummerLeague outing for DQ

13 pts
10 reb
3 ast
5-9 FG
27 min https://t.co/Zkmr6DKf9j
— Maryland Men’s Basketball (@TerrapinHoops) July 11, 2025

After the game, Queen acknowledged the need for improvement moving forward.

"I've got to redeem myself. I know I've got 82 games. Twitter and Instagram are probably going crazy right now. I have to redeem myself for me and all the outside noise," Queen said.

"I feel like I have this game under my belt, and I feel like I'm going to be great next game. It was kind of sloppy in the first half. But a double-double is a double-double. I think I flipped the switch in the second half. I feel like I got the hang of it now."

Queen will have another opportunity to build on his performance this weekend when the Pelicans face the Lakers in Game 2 of their Summer League schedule. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 pm ET on ESPN2.

This article first appeared on Maryland Terrapins on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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