Derik Queen made the decision to pursue his skills in the NBA a few days after guiding Maryland to the Sweet 16.
On Friday’s “SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt,” he declared, “I am proud to say I am entering the 2025 NBA draft.”
This season, Queen, a 6-foot-10 center who is predicted to be selected as the 10th choice in ESPN’s most recent mock draft, was named to the Associated Press All-America team and the first team all-Big Ten. In three NCAA tournament games, he averaged 18.7 points per game.
His postseason effort improved his stock, and he scored 27 points in his team’s 87-71 loss to Florida in the Sweet 16.
Queen expressed his gratitude to his inner circle and former coach Kevin Willard, who recently took the Villanova position, during his statement.
Buzz Williams, a former coach at Texas A&M, took up Maryland’s coaching position this week.
Queen remarked, “I want to thank my mom for everything and all unconditional love.”
