Duke's Khaman Maluach, Maryland's Derik Queen Headline List of Big Men in Upcoming NBA Draft
Khaman Maluach and Derik Queen, freshmen standouts in the recent NCAA tournament, are leading prospects among big men in the upcoming NBA draft. While the draft features a deep pool of talented guards, the selection of big men is smaller, potentially resulting in only Maluach and Queen being chosen in the lottery.
Maluach, a 7-foot-1, 253-pound center from South Sudan, showcased his skills as a rim-runner, shot-blocker, and lob threat during Duke's Final Four run. His impressive 7-6 3/4 wingspan, perimeter defense capabilities, and remarkable 89.4 percent shooting accuracy on pick-and-roll plays highlight his potential. Though still developing his offensive skills, his 76.6 percent free-throw shooting and four made 3-pointers suggest he can improve his touch.
Queen, a 6-foot-9, 248-pound forward from Maryland, averaged 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds, demonstrating his scoring ability in post-ups and off the offensive glass. His solid passing and 76.6 percent free-throw shooting further enhance his profile. However, questions remain about his defensive abilities and how he will perform against larger or quicker opponents. His outside shooting also needs improvement, as evidenced by his 20 percent 3-point shooting percentage.
Other notable big men prospects include Asa Newell from Georgia, known for his athleticism and potential as a versatile defender; Thomas Sorber from Georgetown, with his strong frame and defensive potential; Rasheer Fleming from Saint Joseph's, a first-round prospect who improved his 3-point shooting to 39 percent last year; Danny Wolf from Michigan, who averaged 13.2 points and 9.7 rebounds; Maxime Raynaud from Stanford, a skilled 7-footer averaging 20.2 points and 10.6 rebounds; Joan Beringer from France, a mobile pick-and-roll threat; Hansen Yang from China, with intriguing size and shooting touch; Ryan Kalkbrenner from Creighton, who averaged 14.5 points and 2.4 blocks; Yanic Konan Niederhauser from Penn State, known for his shot-blocking ability; and Johni Broome from Auburn, an All-American who averaged 10.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks.
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