Derik Queen compares to Jokic for unique center skills

Maryland basketball is having a great season. The team, known as the "Crab Five," has a record of 25-8 and is a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. A key player for Maryland is Derik Queen. He is a freshman from Baltimore and was the No. 12 recruit in the Class of 2024. Queen has had a standout season. He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year by both coaches and media members. He also made the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and the Big Ten First Team. Many believe he has the potential to be a high draft pick in the NBA. Fans have given Queen the nickname "Baby Jokic." This is a comparison to Nikola Jokic, a star center in the NBA. Although it seems high, Queen shares some skills with Jokic, like passing and ball-handling. Queen's impressive play has led to this nickname gaining traction, even from Angel Reese, a player whose brother plays alongside him. Coach Kevin Willard believes Queen is undervalued because of his background and athleticism. He thinks that if Queen were white and European, he would be considered a top draft pick. Currently, analysts still see Queen as different from other top prospects. However, a strong performance in the tournament could change that. During the season, Queen led Maryland in points and rebounds. He averaged 16.3 points per game and had 14 double-doubles. As for the NBA Draft, he is projected to be a lottery pick. Some mock drafts have him going as high as tenth overall.