Together Again

Julian Reese first met Derik Queen in elementary school when they played for the AAU program Team Thrill. The pair have since become close friends. 

If you ask Reese, he might call Queen a goofball. Ask Queen, and he’s likely to tell you Reese is a wise man. Their age difference may play a role in each other’s notion, but they acknowledge they have more in common than not. 

Both are soft-spoken, lengthy big men from Baltimore who were highly touted basketball prospects. They teamed up in high school at St. Frances Academy. While Reese was a senior and Queen was a freshman during the 2020-21 COVID-19 pandemic-shortened season, the Panthers went undefeated in the regular season. Their only loss of the year occurred in the Baltimore Catholic League (BCL) championship game. 

Queen was named the MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year that season, while Reese earned BCL Defensive Player of the Year honors and Honorable Mention All-BCL honors.

Several years later, the frontcourt duo is again wearing the same jersey. They bring a sense of unfinished business, as their last time sharing the court in high school resulted in a rare championship game loss.  

“There’s definitely some unfinished business,” Reese said. “We always talk about that. We took care of business the whole season but just lost in the championship to John Carroll.”

The pair’s relationship was displayed during Queen’s first official practice with the Terps in early June. The freshman big man admitted he struggled through the training, describing it as tiring and feeling like he would throw up. It was his first “welcome to the league” moment.

But Queen leaned on Reese for support, and the senior big man helped him get through the workout. 

“They're both from Baltimore,” Maryland head basketball coach Kevin Willard said at the 2024 Basketball Media Days. “They both played a little bit together in AAU in high school, so Julian's been great at taking him under his wing and saying, ‘Hey, this is the way we do things. This is how you do. This is how we act.’ Derik's been great with him.”

Queen’s testimony reflects Willard’s account. 

“That's my guy,” Queen said, referring to Reese. “He’s just been basically taking me under his wing.”

Through 15 games, Reese has averaged 13 points and 8.7 rebounds per game on 59.5% shooting. Queen, who has made the same appearances as Reese, has been one of the most productive freshmen in the country. He’s averaging 16 points and eight rebounds per game on 56.2% shooting. The pair has combined for 11 double-doubles and nine 20-point games. 

Reese and Queen’s relationship has improved each other's games. With three seasons of experience playing Big Ten basketball, Reese has taken on the big brother role of teaching Queen what to expect regarding physicality and style of play. 

“It's been great. He's been a great learner,” Reese said. “Typically, highly talented guys come in with a confidence and savvy that they know it all. But Derik hasn't been that at all. He's just been a sponge and just ready to learn.”

Reese and Queen may share much in common, but they also complement each other on and off the court. Standing 6-foot-9, 252 pounds, the left-handed Reese finishes around the basket, imposes his will on defense, and dominates the boards using strength, tenacity, and athleticism. 

Although his measurables are similar — 6-foot-10, 246 pounds — Queen boasts a different body type. He’s highly skilled. His hands and footwork allow him to score squared up to the basket or with his back facing the sanction. He can even handle the ball and create a little as a playmaker. 

Their playstyles allow them to effortlessly feed off one another in head coach Kevin Willard’s free-flowing offense. 

“I could get the ball to him at whatever spot he wants,” Queen said. “I’ll be out of his way a lot and let him work.”

What started as two friends from Baltimore has developed into something much more. They’ve reunited on the basketball court and are ready to take the league by storm as one of the best frontcourt duos.   

“One of the biggest things was Derik was really excited to play with Julian because Julian is, in my opinion, one of the best centers in college basketball,” Willard said. “He was excited not only to play with him but to learn from him. … Derik’s like a sponge. He asks Julian questions. ‘What do I do here? What should I do here? What's my counter move?’ They really work really well together.”