Explore the latest developments concerning How Derik Queen.
How Derik Queen became the Pelicans' future after a shocking draft-night trade
You have reached ESPN's Australian edition. Stay on current site or go to US version.
Hours before the biggest start of his life against Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic, Derik Queen took a seat in a row of chairs between the New Orleans Pelicans' two practice courts following a recent morning shootaround.
The 20-year-old center acts his age and has a kid-like joy. He has a smile filled with braces and an endearing cartoonish laugh that not even the Pelicans' sinking season has spoiled.
"That's exactly what he is — a kid," DeAndre Jordan, who won a title with Jokic in 2023 and is now mentoring Queen in New Orleans, told ESPN. "He still got a little baby fat."
Rookie Derik Queen's emergence a bright spot for Pelicans
Rookie Derik Queen has delivered for the New Orleans Pelicans in their otherwise difficult start to this season.
Derik Queen becomes the 5th rookie to notch a 30-point triple-double (33 pts, 10 reb, 10 ast) before his 21st birthday.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — When Pelicans rookie Derik Queen missed a late shot for the lead against the San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans guard Jose Alvarado hustled over to him and pushed his palm up under his chin in an expression of encouragement.
The Pelicans felt Queen had nothing to be ashamed of after recording his first NBA triple double — 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists — in just his 25th game.
87PSI Commercial Carpet Cleaning Machine 3 in 1 Upholstery Wet Dry Cleaner Heavy Duty Powerful Motor Hotels Offices Theaters
Spurs Notes: Harper, Fox, Castle, Wembanyama
No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper helped lead the Spurs to a victory over New Orleans on Monday with a 22-point, six-assist outing, proving that he can be successful in his role even when De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle are both available. Still, as Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News (subscription required) writes, it was evident with all three of those guards were healthy and active for the first time this season that there are still some kinks to work out in the backcourt.
While Harper thrived, Castle showed some rust in his first game back from a hip injury, making just 5-of-15 shots and turning the ball over three times in 23 minutes. Meanwhile, McDonald suggests that Fox seemed “unsure of when to assert himself” — the former All-Star scored just 14 points on 4-of-11 shooting and committed four turnovers.
For more detailed information, explore updates concerning How Derik Queen.