New Orleans Pelicans rookie Derrick Queen is expected to miss the beginning of training camp after undergoing surgery on Friday to repair a torn ligament in his left wrist. Queen sustained the injury during an NBA Summer League game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, and while the Pelicans will reassess his condition in about 12 weeks, this evaluation will occur after camp has already started. The surgery, performed by Dr. Stephen Singh in Los Angeles, aimed to fix a torn scapula ligament.
Standing at 6-foot-9, Queen was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year after averaging 16.5 points per game at Maryland. He is notably remembered for his buzzer-beater against Colorado in the NCAA Tournament’s second round, which advanced Maryland to the Sweet 16 before they were eliminated by Florida, the eventual national champion. Queen was selected 13th overall in the Atlanta draft, with the Pelicans acquiring his rights through a trade.
Fan Take: Derrick Queen’s injury is a tough setback for a promising rookie who showed great potential during his college career. Basketball fans should keep an eye on his recovery, as his return could bring fresh energy and talent to the Pelicans, impacting both the team’s future and the league’s competitive landscape.
