Derik Queen

Queen is a unique big man prospect with polished moves around the basket and impressive flashes of passing ability. He’s got excellent touch around the rim and is comfortable with his back to the basket and facing up to put the ball on the floor. Questions about Queen’s athleticism and how he will affect the game on defense in the NBA are fair, but his unique offensive skillset gives him upside that few have in this draft.

Strengths:

  • Uses his blend of strength, footwork, and touch to score efficiently in the post.

  • Advanced ball-handling ability for a big man. Comfortable driving from the top of the key or isolating in the mid-range.

  • Positions and uses his strength well for rebounds, especially on the defensive end.

  • Versatile passer who can playmake out of the post, from the top of the key, or off the dribble.

  • Can create shots to the rim in a variety of ways and scores efficiently from in close.

Weaknesses

  • Lacks high-level athleticism and performed poorly in agility drills at the combine.

  • Low upside as a rim protector given his measurables and lack of vertical pop.

  • Has lapses on defense and lacks a clear cut-role on this end in the NBA.

  • Not yet a threat to space the floor despite solid touch in the paint and at the free throw line.