Derik Queen isn’t just having a moment-he’s building something real in New Orleans. The rookie big man, who turns 21 this weekend, has quickly gone from intriguing prospect to centerpiece of a surging Pelicans squad that’s suddenly playing inspired basketball. And if you haven’t been paying attention, now’s the time to start.
Let’s talk numbers first, because they tell a story of rapid growth. In nine games this December, Queen is averaging 16.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 5.7 assists on a scorching 59.4% shooting clip.
That’s not just solid for a rookie-it’s rare air. And not coincidentally, the Pelicans are riding a five-game win streak, their longest since 2022.
This is a team that started the season 3-22. Now they’re playing with purpose, and Queen is right at the heart of it.
What makes Queen so fascinating isn’t just the production-it’s how he’s doing it. He’s a 6-foot-9 big who plays with the instincts and skills of a guard.
He’s initiating offense from the high post, threading passes through tight windows, and creating off the dribble in ways you don’t typically see from a frontcourt player. There are shades of Nikola Jokić in his game-not just in the playmaking, but in the way he uses feel, timing, and elite touch to offset average athleticism.
Through 30 games, Queen is averaging 13.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and a steal per game, shooting 51.7% from the field. Those numbers put him firmly in the conversation for First Team All-Rookie honors.
And if he gets there, he’d join a short list of Maryland alumni to earn that distinction-John Lucas, Buck Williams, Joe Smith, and Steve Francis. All top-two picks.
Queen was drafted 13th.
Since stepping into the starting lineup full-time on November 16, Queen’s role has expanded dramatically. The Pelicans have started to run more offense through him-using his vision and decision-making as a hub in the halfcourt.
His cerebral game has been a perfect complement to Zion Williamson’s explosive style. Where Zion brings the power, Queen brings the poise.
Together, they’re starting to look like a duo that can anchor a new era in New Orleans.
And then there’s that game. Earlier this month, Queen dropped a 30-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist, 4-block masterpiece against San Antonio-a stat line no rookie in NBA history had ever posted.
He became just the fifth player to record a 30-10-10 game before turning 21, joining Luka Dončić, LeBron James, Victor Wembanyama, and De’Aaron Fox. Since 2000, only LeBron and Jokić have hit those marks at any age.
That’s the kind of company Queen is keeping right now.
Naturally, the buzz is building. ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins even went as far as to suggest the Pelicans should move on from Williamson and hand the keys to Queen and fellow rookie Jeremiah Fears. That’s a bold take, but it speaks to how quickly Queen has shifted the narrative in New Orleans.
He’s already tied the second-longest double-double streak by a rookie in franchise history and leads all rookies in assists among players with at least 20 games played. In fact, he’s averaging more assists than any rookie center in the last 50 years. That’s not just impressive-it’s unprecedented.
Around the league, people are taking notice. Former NBA guard Jeff Teague called Queen “not normal.” Williamson himself said Queen “gets better every game” and called him “a special talent.”
Still, Queen isn’t getting caught up in the hype. After his third straight double-double earlier this week, he kept it simple: “I just be trying to play harder, rebound and go out there and be a basketball player.”
That workmanlike approach is part of what’s making him such a fan favorite in New Orleans. There were plenty of questions when the Pelicans made the trade to acquire him-but Queen is answering them, one game at a time. He’s not just fitting in-he’s redefining what this team can be.