Jay Bilas believes the New Orleans Pelicans may not end up regretting drafting former Maryland Terrapins star Derik Queen and giving up a draft pick to land him.

Few NBA prospects have a wider projected draft range than former Maryland men’s basketball star and Baltimore native Derik Queen.

Maryland center Derik Queen is arguably the most skilled big man in the 2025 NBA Draft, making him an intriguing prospect to watch. Queen averaged 16.5 points,

The Pelicans acquired Queen in a draft-night deal with the Atlanta Hawks, who received No. 23 pick Asa Newell and an unprotected 2026 first-rounder in return. Derik Queen’s draft night schedule: 1. Get drafted 2. Update @LinkedIn 😂 pic.twitter.com/I2nag3eck8

It’s only right that friends and family of Derik Queen, who’s famously from Baltimore, gathered Wednesday night for the NBA draft over bushels of crabs. “We’re from Baltimore,” said David Knox, Queen’s great-uncle who sat at the head of a long table inside Parkville’s Urban Crab Shack,

When asked about the criticism the Pelicans are facing for trading up to select him, Derik Queen delivered a perfect response.

How does Maryland freshman phenom Derik Queen fit next to Zion Williamson now that he's been drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans?