Monday, April 13

Pro Terps: NBA Playoffs Begin


COLLEGE PARK, MD — The NBA regular season is in the books and the playoffs will begin this week starting with the Play-In Tournament. Let’s check in on Maryland’s pros – Derik Queen (New Orleans Pelicans), Kevin Huerter (Detroit Pistons), Jalen Smith (Chicago Bulls), Aaron Wiggins (Oklahoma City Thunder), Jahmir Young (Miami Heat/Sioux Falls Skyforce) and Julian Reese (Washington Wizards).

Both Huerter and Wiggins enter the playoffs as No. 1 seeds, while Jahmir Young, fresh off signing a standard contract with the Heat over the weekend, will fight for a playoff spot in the Play-In Tournament. Queen and Reese saw their rookie seasons come to a close, but not before making some history along the way.

 

derik queen (new orleans pelicans)

  • Queen closed out the regular season averaging 11.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game on 47.3% shooting.
  • He became the second rookie this century to post a 30/20 game joining Victor Wembeyama. Queen posted 30 points and 22 rebounds in the regular season finale at Minnesota.
  • Among his rookie class, Queen stands out in numerous aspects of his game, leading in rebounds with 572 boards, while ranking second in double-doubles with 14 and fourth in assists with 298. He finished sixth overall in scoring with 948 points.
  • This season, he posted 11 games with 20+ points, and 15 games with 10+ rebounds.
  • Queen had multiple stand out appearances this season, one of his most notable being his first career triple-double on Dec. 8 against the Spurs, finishing with 33 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and three blocks. 
  • Queen remains the only rookie this season to have two triple-doubles under his belt, while only two other rookies have one.

kevin huerter (detroit pistons)

  • As the regular season comes to an end, Huerter is averaging 10.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.
  • Huerter had a busy year, beginning the season with the Bulls, and finishing it with the Pistons after being traded in early February as a part of a three-team deal. 
  • In a close game against the Heat on Jan. 29, Huerter recorded a double-double with 15 points including four 3-pointers, in addition to 10 rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and one steal. 
  • Huerter dropped 20+ points in five appearances this season.
  • Huerter is currently playing an efficient stretch, averaging 12.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in his last 8 outings.

jalen smith (Chicago bulls)

  • As he concludes his second season as a Chicago Bull, Smith averaged 10.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists, while shooting 48.3% from the FG range.
  • Smith put up nine double-doubles this season, four of which were in starts for the Bulls.
  • One of his most noteworthy appearances this season came in a win over the Pelicans on Dec. 31, where he dropped 14 points, 14 rebounds, two blocks, one steal, and one assist.
  • Due to a calf injury, Smith has not played since Mar. 25, and is ruled out for the remainder of the season. 

aaron wiggins (oklahoma city thunder)

  • Wiggins has continued to be a key rotational piece for OKC, averaging 9.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists during the regular season.
  • Wiggins recorded a memorable game on Nov. 5 against Portland, knocking down seven three-pointers en route to 27 points, along with three steals, two rebounds, and two assists.
  • He scored 20+ points in four games this season, all of which he started for the team.
  • In a win over the Indiana Pacers in double OT on Oct. 23, Wiggins played a clutch role for OKC, shooting 5-9 from beyond the arc, ultimately posting 23 points, nine rebounds, and one block.

jahmir young (miami heat/sioux falls skyforce)

  • Young played an impressive season with the Sioux Falls SkyForce, averaging 26.0 points, 8.9 assists, and 4.6 rebounds. He earned All-NBA G League Second Team honors.
  • Young was called up by the Heat 13 times this season and was signed to a standard contract effective Apr. 11.
  • Across the G League, Jahmir Young has ranked among the leaders in several categories, including first in minutes played (38.1 per game), second in scoring (26.0), and fifth in assists (8.9).
  • Young’s outstanding performances earned him a spot in the G League Next Up Game as well as the Castrol Rising Stars Game.
  • In January, Young was named the G League’s Kia Player of the month, as he averaged 29.5 points and 9.6 assists on 50% shooting throughout the month.
  • Young dropped 30+ points in 10 games this season.
  • One of Young’s most notable games this season with the SkyForce was on Jan. 18, where he tallied 36 points, 12 assists, and six rebounds. 

julian reese (Washington wizards)

  • Reese closed out his rookie NBA season averaging 11.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while shooting 52.9% from the field. 
  • Prior to his recent stretch of NBA appearances with the Wizards, Reese averaged 9.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists between his time on the Raptors 905 and Capital City Go-Go.
  • Reese has recorded five double-doubles within his 13 NBA appearances, averaging 18.8 points and 15.8 rebounds across those five performances.
  • Reese put up a memorable performance in a win over the Jazz on Mar. 25, where he racked up a season-high 26 points, in addition to 17 rebounds, one block, and one steal.
  • Recently, Reese was on a three-game double-double streak, with 17 points and 16 rebounds on Apr. 5, 17 points and 11 rebounds on Apr. 7, and 16 points and 15 rebounds on Apr. 9.

upcoming schedule

Tuesday, Apr. 14

Miami at Charlotte, 7:30 PM ET

Friday, Apr. 17

Play-In Tournament Finals, 7:30/10 PM ET

Sunday, Apr. 19

Oklahoma City vs. TBA, 3:30 PM ET

Detroit Pistons vs. TBA, 6:30 PM ET





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