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A lot of New Orleans' future relies on Derik Queen. After trading their unprotected 2026 first-round pick, the Pelicans moved up 10 spots to select him. That may put a lot of pressure on the rookie, but he doesn't seem to mind too much. Dubbed 'Baby Jokic' by his college teammates, Queen has the capabilities to be a star, but patience must be allowed. Queen propelled the Pelicans to their first win of the season by recording 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals in the fourth quarter, becoming the first player to ever record those numbers in a single quarter.
Queen, who teamed up with Quest Nutrition in celebration of Quest's first-ever donut, spoke with HoopsHype about his recent wrist injury recovery, his short and long-term career goals, his headspace going from winning everywhere to now on a Pelicans team, and more.
What was your rehab and recovery like after you suffered your wrist injury during Summer League?
Derik Queen: First, it was a lot of eating right. Trying to stay conditioned and just a lot of legs. Of course, I couldn't do upper body due to my wrists, but just those three things, and just a lot of film and mental prepping.
Getting hurt at the beginning of Summer League. Was that taxing for you to deal with mentally, and how did you get past that?
DQ: Yeah, I've never missed practice, games, or anything. And then the first day we're saying I'm supposed to be out until mid-November, but that's just me every day just putting the work in. Going into the mental thing, it was tough. I think it helped me grow to be mentally strong.
Players often talk about how the game is very fast when they first come into the NBA. What has your experience been like going from college to the pros?
DQ: Yeah, it’s definitely way more games. The rules are different, college and the NBA: defensive three seconds, the shot clock, the foul calls. It's just a different game. But I adapt quick by just learning and just watching film.
Being so early in the season, do you feel like it’s a lot at once in terms of trying to adapt, or do you feel like you’re handling it all pretty well?
DQ: Yeah, I feel like I'm handling it pretty well. It's just my first time doing a travel schedule, having back-to-backs, getting on a plane right after the game and going to a different city to play that night, because we usually land really, really, really late, like 1 am , 2 am and just doing it over again. So it's definitely a change to the schedule.
Have you had your ‘welcome to the NBA moment’ yet?
DQ: No, I don’t think so yet. [Smiles]
It’s been a tough start to the season for you and your team. How have you been able to stay optimistic through all this?
DQ: It's definitely a long season and definitely we will have more opportunities and just us talking, just trying to clean some stuff up, and just be better next game.
You were a high recruit in high school, top of the class. I’m sure you’re used to winning most of your games before you got to the pros, and now it’s tough to win one game. How have you managed to keep things in perspective?
DQ: Yeah, it definitely hurts. But, I mean, it's the NBA. Like, it's definitely going to be tough times. It’s not possible that you can go undefeated, which I did in high school. I mean, I have an understanding, but it's only five games. Hopefully we can go, what is it, like 77-5? Hopefully.
What has been some things that have surprised you the most now that you are in the league?
DQ: Nothing really. Probably, like, how fast everybody moves and how efficient everybody's steps are, the quickness. There's some big guys, big, strong guys out there.
Has that kind of affected your confidence level at any point? Or do you feel like you're still very confident in your own abilities?
DQ: Yeah, I'm definitely still very confident. It was just like a surprise. I mean, I've been watching all my life on TV. And now just being in it, it's totally different.
What part of your game have you focused on the most since leaving Maryland?
DQ: The mid-post and shooting. Basically just footwork and just being consistent in my jump shot.
What goals do you have for this season and beyond?
DQ: Trying to win as many games as possible, make it to the playoffs, of course. Of course, I have some personal goals, like, as far as being a rookie, and just keep bettering myself.
What are some of your personal goals?
DQ: I mean, yeah, stuff like that. First team rookie, Rookie of the Year, lead rookies in rebounding or scoring or assists, something like that.
Now that you’re in the NBA, have you made any big purchases for yourself or loves ones?
DQ: No, I don’t really like to spend a lot. Just sort of like to keep it low-key.
Who is your GOAT?
DQ: LeBron.
I mean, some people will [with Michael Jordan], but LeBron is mine. I mean, because that’s who I grew up watching.
Hopefully, I get to meet LeBron soon.
Can you talk a bit about your partnership with Quest Nutrition?
DQ: Quest Nutrition is a great partnership with me, a great brand. I have everything that I want for me to contain my muscles and help me lose weight. It has protein, and I just love the snacks. And it also is a great thing for a healthy snack for me.
You’ve only just started your NBA career, but with nutrition and eating right, has your mindset on that changed from high school/college to now?
DQ: Yeah, kind of. When I was in high school, it was like all of the healthy stuff is nasty, but now just growing up, just me experiencing more, I've definitely changed my perspective on that. And me working with Quest, that definitely changed the perspective of that too. Just helped me, like I said, just helped me fulfill my sweet tooth.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Derik Queen Q&A: Catching up with the Pelicans rookie
Reporting by Sam Yip, HoopsHype / Hoops Hype
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