Muggsy Bogues is a Baltimore legend. The NBA’s shortest player ever at 5-foot-3, Bogues has become an icon for basketball players and Baltimore natives alike.
Now, Baltimore has its newest NBA player in Derik Queen. The University of Maryland’s Queen was acquired by the New Orleans Pelicans after being drafted 13th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Maryland defeated Colorado State, 72-71, on a thrilling buzzer-beater by Queen to go to the Sweet 16 as part of this year’s NCAA Tournament. When asked after the game where the confidence to ask for the ball came from, the 6-foot-10, 246-pound center responded, “I’m from Baltimore, that’s why.”
Queen averaged 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game for the Terps in 2024-25, setting the freshman scoring record at Maryland with 594 points and earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors.
Bogues has known Queen and his family for years.
“It hit me with pride, because knowing Derik and having the opportunity, seeing him as a kid,” Bogues said on Glenn Clark Radio June 26. “… So seeing [Queen and his family] at the draft, watching the joy, the journey and the path that he’s taken, I mean, it’s unbelievable.”
Bogues is very proud of Queen and thrilled for him. He is happy that Queen’s family allowed him to stay on the path of basketball.
“A lot of us who come from the area get distracted,” Bogues said. “And for him to be able to stay focused all the way through to see his dreams come through, come to fruition, I just enjoy watching it.”
The Wizards were rumored to be interested in Queen but opted for Texas shooting guard Tre Johnson with the No. 6 overall pick. Bogues believes New Orleans is a good fit for Queen.
“I think he has the opportunity to really be himself away from the city,” Bogues said. “I think he can be able to really mature and develop into himself.”
Bogues has cemented his legacy in Baltimore as someone that kids like Queen can look up to and aspire to be.
“I’m just happy that I was able to have that opportunity to showcase and let folks know that the game of basketball is meant for tall, small, whoever has the ability to play basketball,” Bogues said.
For more from Bogues, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox