Derik Queen - NBA Mock Draft Roundup 1.0

Maryland freshman big man is an analytics darling who contributes in a variety of ways on both ends of the court. He had one of his best games in the NCAA scoring 27 points with 7 rebounds, 2 assists, as well as a block and a steal versus Minnesota on Monday. Currently shooting 75.7 percent at the rim, per Bart Torvik, his touch is remarkable. He has recorded the second-most win shares among all freshmen, per CBB Analytics, trailing only Flagg.

All Queen has ever done is produce. It started when he was a freshman at Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore, continued with Team Thrill in the Under Armour Association, and now at Montverde Academy. There will be questions about how his game will translate, especially defensively, but his hands, touch, rebounding and passing are all assets.

Derik Queen's freshman production has helped generate national buzz, but it's the flashes of perimeter drives and shooting confidence that have earned him mentions in the first-round discussion.

No explosion, a 248-pound frame and a back-to-the-basket game initially had scouts skeptical about how Queen's game would translate to the NBA. There are still questions about how he fits defensively at the next level. And he has cut down on three-point attempts as of late. But his strength, skill, body control at his size and expanding offensive skill set, which includes passing, should have scouts willing to look past Queen's flaws outside the lottery.

Arguably the most productive freshman in the country this season, Queen is averaging 16 points, eight rebounds, two assists and over one block and one steal per game while doing it all quite efficiently. He shoots 56.2 percent from the field, gets to the foul line often and displays skills on tape that big-bodied 6-10 teenagers simply rarely showcase. He has unbelievable balance and coordination for his size and is excellent at attacking and driving off of the bounce against bigs. Queen can catch in the mid-post and throw up an impressive array of midrange jumpers with touch, or put his shoulder into somebody and get to a hook shot. He's comfortable shooting 3s even if they haven't gone in yet. I would bet at some point in his career he makes them.

Defensively there are serious questions. He's undersized and doesn't move wildly well laterally. There will also be questions about his weight (though he's done great work over the last eight months to get into the best shape of his career). But Queen is one of those players whom scouts continue to note as having been great every single time they've seen him. He was remarkably productive at Montverde (Fla.) Academy. He was great in front of scouts at the McDonald's All-American game, and he has been great this season for the Terrapins.

The Pacers' frontcourt depth has been tested because of several injuries inside, which might cause the team to look at adding a young prospect whom it can develop behind Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner.

Queen is one of the most productive freshmen, bringing an advanced feel for the college game and skill level, creating shots for himself and others for Maryland, scoring and drawing fouls prolifically while filling up the box score. He has some questions to answer regarding his defense and perimeter shooting. He is not the most modern big man and wouldn't be a fit for every team's roster because of his average mobility, intensity and lack of shooting range.

Scouts will be studying his impact in the Big Ten and beyond to get a better gauge of how to weigh his impressive productivity versus his weaknesses. -- Givony