Baltimore Native Derik Queen Headed To Pelicans
From Baltimore To The NBA: Derik Queen Is Headed To The Pelicans
Derik Queen’s basketball journey, which began on the courts of Baltimore, has officially taken him to the NBA. The hometown star was selected 13th overall in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, who will send him to the New Orleans Pelicans in a draft-night trade.
Queen, a proud Baltimore native, has been on the radar for years, earning recognition as one of the most dominant high school players to emerge from the city, and his decision to stay close to Baltimore paid off, as he emerged as a key player for the Terrapins during the 2024–25 season.
With averages of 16.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists, Queen helped lead Maryland to a strong showing in the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament and solidified his status as one of the top prospects in the country.
Before college, Queen was already turning heads as a five-star recruit. He was ranked No. 14 overall in the 2024 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a composite of the nation’s top recruiting services.
As he prepares to join the Pelicans, Queen is being celebrated not just for his skills, but for the pride he brings to Baltimore. From neighborhood gyms to the national stage, his rise has inspired many young athletes in the city.
“Derik Queen has a wide range depending on the team, which comes as no surprise given his unique skillset,” said On3 NBA Draft analyst James Fletcher III, who ranked Queen No. 9 on his draft board. “The offensive package is impressive to say the least… but to fully unlock his potential, he’ll need to continue developing defensively.”
Analysts have drawn comparisons to players like Zach Randolph, Julius Randle, and Alperen Sengun; undersized bigs who carved out impressive careers with skill and grit. RotoWire.com called Queen a high-upside pick who could eventually rival top prospects like Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper.
