Derik Queen goes for double-double in NBA Summer League debut
Former Maryland basketball star Derik Queen didn’t waste any time making his presence felt in his NBA Summer League debut, recording a double-double for the New Orleans Pelicans in a 98-91 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Queen finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and three assists in just over 26 minutes of action.
It was a slow start for the former Terrapin freshman All-American, who had a shot blocked and turned the ball over four times as he was held scoreless in the first half.
After a couple of early turnovers to start the third quarter, things finally started to turned around for Queen in the second half.
Queen scored the first points of his professional career on a driving layup with 3:41 left to play in the third quarter. He followed that up quickly with another driving layup followed by a 12-foot jumper with 47 seconds remaining in the period. He was then fouled on the following offensive possession, knocking down 1-of-2 free throws to finish the third quarter with seven points.
“It was great, ” Queen told reporters following the game. “I started out really, really bad and then my teammates stuck with me. I guess I call them vets for the summer league, but a few of the older guys were just giving me words of encouragement, the second half I got it going and I kind of picked it up.”
The 6-foot-10, 246-pound Queen finished 5-of-9 from the field, knocking down his only three-point attempt, a 26-foot step back in the final minute of play.
The 13th overall selection in this year’s NBA Draft, Queen also showed off his excellent vision and passing ability, finishing with three assists, including a behind-the-back dime to former Kansas big man Hunter Dickinson in the second quarter.
Queen and the Pelicans will next take to the court on Saturday, July 12 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The game is set to tip at 8:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN2.
