Maryland’s sublime freshman is a big reason the Terrapins are back in the Sweet 16 for the first time in nearly a decade. Next up: Top-seeded Florida.

The Baltimore native is doing his hometown proud during the NCAA Tournament. Maryland faces No. 1 Florida on Thursday in the Sweet 16.

Who is Derik Queen? The Maryland true freshman big man is making a big name for himself in the men's NCAA Tournament this season:

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Maryland Terrapins star Derik Queen is among the top NBA draft prospects, and the stellar play in the NCAA Tournament is only helping boost his stock. The latest NBA draft projections for Queen has the big man in play to be a potential top-five pick.

The 2023-24 Montverde Academy roster was loaded with NCAA Tournament stars, including Cooper Flagg and Derik Queen:

It's unclear how long Derik Queen plans to wear a Maryland uniform, but make no mistake, the 20-year-old represents the state wherever he goes. Queen entered the NCAA Tournament as one of the top prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft,

Queen finished the game with a team-high 27 points, the 2nd-most by a Maryland freshman ever in an NCAA Tournament game, on 8-of-17 shooting, five rebounds and two steals. His total point count for his freshman season ends at 594, which is the new Maryland record.