IT HAS been quite the week for Maryland big man Derik Queen, who sent his side into the Sweet 16 at the NCAA National Tournament with a buzzer-beating game-winner in the shot of March Madness so far.

Queen has had an impressive season for the Terrapins, and now looms as a potential top-five selection in the 2025 NBA Draft in June. The shot to sink Colorado State certainly generated plenty of buzz around his name, but Queen was already putting his name around the top of draft boards thanks to a rock solid campaign in his Freshman campaign, and has shown there is certainly a place for him at the top level.

At six-foot-10, Queen is a physically imposing big man who has the speed and size to throw his weight around in the low block. Although not the most reliable shooter, his work inside the paint is impossible to ignore, while he was one of the most impactful defensive players in the NCAA this season, which should translate to the NBA.

On the season, Queen averaged 16.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks on 52.9 per cent shooting from the field. One of the most impressive facets of his game has been the improvement of his free throw shot, becoming much more reliable at the charity stripe, which is a big tick for NBA scouts.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will run through some of the clearest comparisons to already established NBA talents, with Queen drawing obvious similarities to some of the most physically imposing big men in NBA history.

Zach Randolph – Memphis Grizzlies

Most NBA fans would remember Randolph’s claims that where he came from ‘bullies get bullied’, and he translated that to the manner in which he played on the court. One of the hardest working forwards the league has ever seen, Randolph made life extremely difficult for whoever was tasked with matching up on him each night, and took home the NBA’s Most Improved Award as well as making two All-Star appearances and earning All-NBA Third Team honours throughout his career as well. While both Queen and Randolph may not have the prettiest style of play, their bash and crash method draws results, and the Freshman will likely take some of the physical pressure off his frontcourt partner at NBA level.

DeMarcus Cousins – Sacramento Kings

Another physical big man who could drive straight through the chest of an opponent, Cousins was a force to be reckoned with at the peak of his powers. Although injuries shortened his impact, his stints at the Kings and New Orleans Pelicans were enormous in impact, with Cousins named to the All-NBA Second Team twice and appearing in the All-Star Game on four occasions. He was relentless in his pursuit of baskets, and made the paint his own when he was in good form. Although Cousins was a better offensive rebounder when he came into the league, the players are quite similar in physicality and presence in the low block.

Nikola Jokic – Denver Nuggets

This is where the comparisons take a bit of a stretch, as it is unfair to compare Queen to one of the greatest players and centers in NBA history, who is still tearing matches apart with his extremely unique skillset. However, Queen’s passing combined with his size make the similarities visible, which is also a trend of the modern game. Since being selected by the Nuggets late in the second round in 2014, the Serbian is considered the biggest draft steal in NBA history, having won three MVP awards, a finals MVP award and an NBA Championship, and is every chance to add to that trophy cabinet in the coming seasons. The comparison between the two players comes in the form of playmaking, with Queen showcasing excellent vision for his size and position, and could develop that at NBA level, just as Jokic did to much success.