Going back to Montverde Academy, I couldn’t get past Queen’s body type, post-up heavy game and suspect defensive projection. Even as the production and highlights started to pile up Maryland, anchored skepticism kept me from opening my mind. Now it’s changed.
A higher level of movement fluidity, craft/IQ and agility has turned me. The ways he’s able to make plays facing the basket separates him from Jahlil Okafor, or Jared Sullinger’s, or Vernon Carey Jr’s, or the previous “below-the-rim”, heavier-set, back-to-the-basket bigs who struggled to stick or take off in the NBA.
Queen may actually be closer to Alperen Sengun, who encountered similar skepticism due to his below-the-rim, interior-oriented game he produced with in Turkey. While Sengun remains mostly a post player and roll man, he’s reached a different level offensively because of how well he can face up his man and use his strength, control, dribble, vision and touch with the ball.
It sounds simple and obvious but over the years I’ve liked betting on 6’8″+ forwards/bigs that can handle and pass. Queen doesn’t just rely on backing defenders down. He can maneuver with the ball under some pressure, push a break, attack a closeout or capitalize on open space. It opens up more windows to score and play-make (Queen has been and remains a surefire passing asset, and passing IQ translates).
Even without a three-ball he can add some spacing with the ability to hang outside the paint and make plays from there.
I don’t think he needs dangerous three-point shooting to hit offensive upside. He would benefit from having a midrange jumper around the elbows where he can flash to for some space. I’ve become somewhat optimistic Queen can be a regular threat in that 15-18 foot range. The 71 jump shot attempts reflects confidence, his 77 percent free-throw mark reflect touch, and the test sees mechanics that look relatively clean. He has a shot that actually looks like it has a chance every time, despite the ugly percentages.
The defense probably won’t be great. He’s neither a rim protector or ideal switch guy. If you’re projecting a high-level offensive player, which I suddenly am, Queen just has to be adequate and avoid being a total liability. Sometimes we can put too much stock into shot-blocking numbers or highlights of opponents blowing by. I don’t think it will be bad enough that coaches have to take him off the floor late unless he’s also really struggling offensively. Ideally he plays the 5 with a solid team defense around him. That does make fit more important for Queen than others.
Sengun is ultimately a best-case type outcome, but I can’t stop thinking about how his strengths translated, how the face-up game added an important complementary dimension of offense, and how his weaknesses have been masked by the fit in Houston.
jwscouting.com 