Thanks. Good, sure. So Derek, uh, how a lot had been you in a position to talk with the Pelicans in the course of the pre-draft course of and what are your ideas about, uh, becoming a member of the crew? Uh, so like I, I most likely talked to him essentially the most, uh, I am, I am, I am fairly shut with Troy Weaver son, so, uh, I used to name him and simply make jokes with, with him about me going to the Pelicans, however I am excited to be lastly be *** pelican. What are you able to convey to this crew, you convey to this crew, you’re feeling like. Uh, I can, I can convey one in. I really feel like I would like each, in every single place. I can slot in wherever, be *** facilitator, rating, defensive participant, no matter. I simply wish to assist the crew win and, and have *** lengthy profession in, in New Orleans. Effectively. Consider this crew with Za and in addition tonight drafting Jeremiah Pearce. are you able to say that another time? Yeah, Derek, what do you consider this crew’s roster, together with Zion, after which additionally, what do you consider the Pelicans deciding on Jeremiah Fis? Uh, I really feel like Joe Dumas and Troy, and Troy Weaver do *** nice job of, they’re fairly good at their job, like they, like, uh, Joe Dumas was on the, was on the Pistons, uh, constructed the the Pistons, after which Troy Weaver additionally on the Pistons and went to the Wizards. So I really feel like they did *** good job with this draft class and attempting to, um, and, and attempting to get the Pelicans to the again to the playoffs. What does it imply to you, the truth that they traded up, , *** good asset, 10 picks to get you, what does that imply? Uh, it, it means *** lot for, uh, to indicate like how a lot they need me, how a lot they imagine in me, and, um, and I, I am simply, I am simply, I am simply prepared to indicate them like, like they bought like they bought their cash’s value and, and I am, I am simply able to placed on for the Pelicans. Eric, did you have got *** favourite participant, participant rising up or simply expertise are much like? Uh, my favourite participant was all the time LeBron, however I, I, I do not play like him. I all the time saved *** ball with me and simply developed, uh, do not matter dribbling on the street, uh, for capturing, no matter, I all the time labored on my sport. And there was one of the best second for you hear your title known as tonight or hit that sport profitable shot towards Colorado State. Uh, I mentioned this earlier, most likely get this, get my title known as as a result of I am most likely gonna hit one other sport when, however I am by no means gonna get my title known as once more. How a lot have you ever been in a position to get to know Jeremiah over the previous couple of months? Uh, so me and have been speaking briefly. Like each time we see one another, we chop it up on social media, we, we chop it up like each time, um, we see, we see one another, we all the time speak, all the time love, um, after which, um, I really feel like we, we, we undoubtedly gonna undergo *** lot with rookie duties and, and attempting to determine New Orleans. And simply what do you consider Plan subsequent Design, huh? Oh, nice, nice participant, nice, actually nice plan and hopefully I can study *** lot from him. He, he train me the sport and, and stuff, however I am, I am tremendous excited to get, get able to work with Za. couple extra questions for you. Are you aware a lot concerning the followers in New Orleans a lot concerning the metropolis? Uh, yeah, I am sort of acquainted. Uh, so my buddy, he went to LSU and I visited *** few occasions, however I knew New Orleans had actually good meals. Um, I, I really feel prefer it’s much like, uh, Baltimore trigger they bought their very own accent similar to us in Baltimore. Uh, so, and Baltimore have actually good meals and, um. I, I, I do not know an excessive amount of about it, but it surely kinda, it kinda assimilate to Baltimore. Which buddy went to LSU? Uh, he, he transferred his title, Mike Williams. Thanks, Derek, in your time. Stay up for getting you right down to New Orleans quickly. Recognize it. Yeah we, thanks.

FULL INTERVIEW: Meet Pelicans rookie, thirteenth general choose Derik Queen

Up to date: 1:18 AM CDT Jun 26, 2025

Editorial Requirements ⓘ

The Pelicans traded as much as choose Maryland Middle Derik Queen at thirteenth general.New Orleans acquired the draft rights to Derik Queen (thirteenth general choose within the 2025 NBA Draft) from the Atlanta Hawks in change for the draft rights to Asa Newell (twenty third general choose within the 2025 NBA Draft) and a future first spherical choose.Queen, 6-9, 248, spent one season on the College of Maryland the place he was named the 2024-25 Large Ten Freshman of the Yr and 2024-25 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Middle of the Yr finalist after ending tied for first within the Large Ten and rating 14th nationally with 15 double-doubles (most amongst freshmen). Queen performed in 36 video games for the Terrapins and averaged 16.5 factors, 9.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 blocks in 30.4 minutes per sport.NBA.com OverviewAfter an unbelievable season at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, which included a 56-point sport, Queen was named the MaxPreps Nationwide Freshman of the Yr and transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida. It took a while for Queen to earn enjoying time at the highschool powerhouse, however he emerged as a star by his senior season and earned MVP honors on the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Recreation. Queen began all 36 of his appearances throughout his lone season at Maryland, averaging 16.5 factors, 9.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.1 steals in 30.4 minutes. The 6-foot-10, 245-pound huge man was named Large Ten Freshman of the Yr and earned First-Workforce All-Large Ten honors.Profession Highlights2024-25 AP All-America Honorable Point out choice.2024-25 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Middle of the Yr finalist.2024-25 Large Ten Freshman of the Yr, first high league freshman at Maryland since Joe Smith in 1993-94 (ACC).2024-25 All-Large Ten First Workforce selection by coaches and Second Workforce by media.Co-MVP of the 2024 McDonald’s Excessive College All-American Recreation.Private InfoMaryland teammates known as him “Child Jokić.”If he might have dinner with three folks, he’d select LeBron James, Denzel Washington and Nicki Minaj.Performed highschool basketball at Montverde Academy with fellow 2025 NBA Draft prospects Cooper Flagg, Liam McNeeley and Asa Newell.

NEW ORLEANS —

The Pelicans traded as much as choose Maryland Middle Derik Queen at thirteenth general.

New Orleans acquired the draft rights to Derik Queen (13^th general choose within the 2025 NBA Draft) from the Atlanta Hawks in change for the draft rights to Asa Newell (23^rd general choose within the 2025 NBA Draft) and a future first spherical choose.

Queen, 6-9, 248, spent one season on the College of Maryland the place he was named the 2024-25 Large Ten Freshman of the Yr and 2024-25 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Middle of the Yr finalist after ending tied for first within the Large Ten and rating 14^th nationally with 15 double-doubles (most amongst freshmen). Queen performed in 36 video games for the Terrapins and averaged 16.5 factors, 9.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 blocks in 30.4 minutes per sport.

NBA.com Overview
After an unbelievable season at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, which included a 56-point sport, Queen was named the MaxPreps Nationwide Freshman of the Yr and transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida. It took a while for Queen to earn enjoying time at the highschool powerhouse, however he emerged as a star by his senior season and earned MVP honors on the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Recreation. Queen began all 36 of his appearances throughout his lone season at Maryland, averaging 16.5 factors, 9.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.1 steals in 30.4 minutes. The 6-foot-10, 245-pound huge man was named Large Ten Freshman of the Yr and earned First-Workforce All-Large Ten honors.

Profession Highlights

• 2024-25 AP All-America Honorable Point out choice.
• 2024-25 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Middle of the Yr finalist.
• 2024-25 Large Ten Freshman of the Yr, first high league freshman at Maryland since Joe Smith in 1993-94 (ACC).
• 2024-25 All-Large Ten First Workforce selection by coaches and Second Workforce by media.
• Co-MVP of the 2024 McDonald’s Excessive College All-American Recreation.

Private Information

• Maryland teammates known as him “Child Jokić.”
• If he might have dinner with three folks, he’d select LeBron James, Denzel Washington and Nicki Minaj.
• Performed highschool basketball at Montverde Academy with fellow 2025 NBA Draft prospects Cooper Flagg, Liam McNeeley and Asa Newell.