Derik Queen reflects on viral moment at Maryland, confidence boost as NBA rookie with Pelicans

New Orleans Pelicans rookie Derik Queen gained a lot of confidence during his viral moment at Maryland last season. Queen hit the game-winning shot for the Terrapins in the Round of 32 vs. Colorado State in last year’s NCAA Tournament.

It led him to being the No. 13 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks before a same day trade to New Orleans. Game-by-game and day-by-day, Queen is getting better. The 20-year-old felt his confidence rise each day in college and the same is happening for a rebuilding Pelicans team.

Speaking with On3 on behalf of Quest Nutrition, Queen discussed that moment as a highlight but not the end-all-be-all in his career. It’s just the first step.

“Probably because that blew up the most,” Queen said of that being a career highlight. “So it probably was that … Scouts or GMs are not really looking (at that). I mean, everybody (thought) it was a cool moment, but it’s just, I mean, it’s just one play. So, I mean, it definitely … gave me a lot more confidence. So, I definitely just carried that with me throughout the pre-draft process.

“I feel like a confidence booster can be in the moment. Like, it’s funny that we was just talking about, like me and one of my teammates was talking about us not really celebrating over baskets, because we’re supposed to do that. But like, if I score on one of my favorite players, like, if anybody’s scoring on one of their favorite players, that gives them a confidence boost …  It can definitely happen in a moment, and then you can just start building from there.”

In seven games this season, Queen averages eight points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, 1.1 assist per game and shoots 48.8% from the floor.

On3’s resident NBA Draft analyst James Fletcher III took a hard look at Queen ahead of this summer’s draft. He was 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.”

For more information on Queen’s partnership with Quest Nutrition, click HERE. They recently released their new protein donut.