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At NBA Draft Combine, Cooper Flagg glows about Derik Queen and their family-like relationship

Amid all the vertical leap tests, wingspan measurements, and high-stakes interviews at the NBA Draft Combine, a warm moment came away from the court on Wednesday when Wizrds reporter Chase Hughes asked anointed No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg about a former high school teammate, Derik Queen.

"Derik is an incredible human being," Flagg said. "He's one of the funniest guys I know. I loved being around him every day as a teammate. He showed up for the team every single day, just like the rest of those guys at Montverde."

Montverde Academy's roster wasn't just loaded — it was one of the best in high school basketball history. They went 33-0 and won the national championship, steamrolling some of the best teams in the country with a senior class that, one year later, includes four projected top-20 NBA Draft picks: Flagg, Queen, and fellow five-stars Asa Newell (Georgia) and Liam McNeeley (UConn). Montverde is a machine; it even surpassed Kentucky for the most alumni picked in one draft (seven) in 2021, highlighted by No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham.

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Flagg, the national player of the year and expected No. 1 pick by the Mavericks, shared a story that will surprise no one who's observed Queen's jovial personality.

"It's funny, yesterday I was talking to my mom, and she said every time she saw Derik again, he'd give her this big hug. It almost makes her want to cry a little bit because of how much she missed him this year," Flagg said. "It's pretty interesting how connected he was with my mom and my family."

Queen has been projected to stay home with the Washington Wizards, among other possible destinations for the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, who produced one of the greatest freshman seasons in Maryland basketball history.

Cooper Flagg told a great story about the emotional connection Derik Queen, his HS teammate, made with his mom.

“Derik is an incredible human being.” pic.twitter.com/x3tSYIBWim

— Chase Hughes (@chasedcsports) May 14, 2025

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