Derik Queen’s NBA Draft Stock May Be Falling After Combine Performance
After a standout freshman season that ended with a Sweet 16 exit against Florida, Maryland basketball center Derik Queen was considered a potential top-10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. He led the Terrapins with averages of 16.5 points and nine rebounds per game. However, his performance at the NBA Draft Combine has raised concerns, and some experts believe his draft stock may be slipping.
According to On3’s Jamie Shaw, Queen’s athleticism, which was already considered a weakness, was further highlighted during the combine. Shaw reported that Queen’s results were even worse than expected. His lane agility score of 12.45 was the third-lowest in the past five years at the NBA Draft Combine, while his 28-inch vertical tied for the second-lowest among last year’s prospects.
In addition to his athletic testing, Queen struggled with his shooting mechanics, still dealing with the same issues in his jump shot that were apparent in high school. This past season, he shot just 20% from beyond the arc and only 45% on a variety of shooting drills, including off-the-dribble and spot-up shots. His decision-making has also been a concern, as he finished the season with 67 assists to 85 turnovers, a notable ratio considering his high usage rate. Over his last two years, Queen has accumulated 125 assists but 137 turnovers in 63 games.
While Queen was once thought to be a lock for the NBA lottery, his recent performances could lead to a drop in his draft position if he doesn’t improve over the rest of the combine. He’ll need a strong showing in the coming days to recover his stock and reassert himself as a top prospect.
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