Maryland Terps Dominate NBA Spotlight: Week 10 Recap
Imagine a group of former college hoops stars from Maryland tearing through the pros, racking up points, rebounds, and assists like it's their backyard playground. That's the reality for these Terps alumni making waves in the NBA right now— but wait, is this just the beginning of something legendary, or are we witnessing the pinnacle already? Let's dive into the latest updates on their performances and see why fans can't look away.
COLLEGE PARK, MD—Week 10 of the NBA season has wrapped up, and it's time to celebrate Maryland's talented pros who've transitioned from the college courts to the big leagues. We're talking about Derik Queen with the New Orleans Pelicans, Kevin Huerter on the Chicago Bulls, Jalen Smith also with the Bulls, Aaron Wiggins for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jahmir Young splitting time between the Miami Heat and Sioux Falls Skyforce, and Julian Reese grinding it out with the Raptors 905. These guys are not only representing their alma mater but also proving that Terps toughness translates to elite-level play.
Derik Queen (New Orleans Pelicans)
Derik, a Baltimore native, is off to an incredible start in his debut NBA season, posting averages of 13.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists after 10 weeks. For context, these stats show his versatility—scoring efficiently (a 51.0% shooting percentage) and controlling the glass (7.0 rebounds per game) put him among the top 40 players in those categories league-wide.
And this is the part most people miss: In his last four games, Derik has exploded for an average of 17.0 points, including standout 21-point outings on December 23 against Cleveland and December 27 versus Phoenix. It's performances like these that have him leading all rookies in several key areas this season.
To break it down simply, a "double-double" means double digits in two statistical categories (like points and rebounds), and a "triple-double" adds a third—think points, rebounds, and assists all in the same game. Derik tops the rookie class in total rebounds, assists, double-doubles, and even triple-doubles, while ranking second in blocks and free throws made, and third in steals, with a fourth-place spot in total points. As one tweet from The Lead highlighted on December 29, 2025: "Among rookies this season, Derik Queen ranks: - 1st in total rebounds - 1st in total assists - 1st in double-doubles - 1st in triple-doubles - 2nd in total blocks - 3rd in total steals - 2nd in free throws made - 4th in total points pic.twitter.com/aNbZe0e8cI"
But here's where it gets controversial: With stats like these, is Derik on track to be Rookie of the Year, or are scouts overlooking his potential due to the Pelicans' rebuilding phase? Some argue he's carrying an inexperienced team, while others say it's too early to crown him— what do you think?
Kevin Huerter (Chicago Bulls)
Kevin is kicking off the 2025-26 season strong with averages of 11.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. He really shone on December 21 in Atlanta, tallying 16 points and five assists in just 21 minutes. Building on that, another standout game came recently, as noted by Inside Maryland Sports on December 20, 2025: "Another productive showing from Kevin Huerter last night 🐢 - 14 points - 5 rebounds - 3 assists - 2 steals pic.twitter.com/TzprMliPBw"
For beginners, Kevin's role as a guard means he's often facilitating plays and defending on the perimeter, which explains his assist and steal numbers.
Jalen Smith (Chicago Bulls)
Jalen is wrapping up 2025 with solid contributions: 8.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. He delivered a strong effort against the 76ers on December 26, finishing with 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and a block in a victorious outing. Over his last eight games, he's secured five or more rebounds in five of them, showcasing his rebounding prowess.
The NBA even celebrated one of his dunks on December 27, 2025, tweeting: "AN ABSOLUTE RIM-ROCKER FROM JALEN SMITH! https://t.co/MbURtX0wPR pic.twitter.com/JRmWVMt2kR"
Aaron Wiggins (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Aaron's three-point shooting is impressive at 41.1% from deep this season, good for 33rd in the entire NBA. After 10 weeks, he's averaging 11.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. He turned in an efficient game on December 28 against the 76ers, scoring 15 points along with three rebounds and three assists, as highlighted by OKC Thunder on the same day.
Jahmir Young (Miami Heat/Sioux Falls Skyforce)
Jahmir is making a name for himself in the G-League with Sioux Falls Skyforce, averaging 22.8 points, 7.7 assists, and 6.0 rebounds. He had a big night on December 27 against the San Diego Clippers, recording 22 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, per the Sioux Falls Skyforce tweet on December 28, 2025.
This raises an interesting debate: Does excelling in the G-League guarantee NBA stardom, or is it just a stepping stone? Jahmir's high assist numbers suggest he's a playmaker, but some fans wonder if he's being undervalued by the Heat—do you agree?
Julian Reese (Raptors 905)
Julian is averaging 4.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game in 2025. He impressed in a game on December 16 with 10 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks.
Upcoming Schedule
Here's what's on deck for these Maryland stars:
- Tuesday, December 30: Raptors 905 vs. Westchester Knicks (7:30 p.m. ET)
- Wednesday, December 31: New Orleans Pelicans at Chicago Bulls (7:00 p.m. ET); Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Portland Trailblazers (8:00 p.m. ET); Sioux Falls Skyforce vs. Rio Grande Valley Vipers (7:30 p.m. ET)
- Thursday, January 1: Miami Heat at Detroit Pistons (7:00 p.m. ET)
- Friday, January 2: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Portland Trailblazers (8:00 p.m. ET); Chicago Bulls vs. Orlando Magic (8:00 p.m. ET); Oklahoma City Thunder at Golden State Warriors (10:00 p.m. ET); Raptors 905 vs. San Diego Clippers (5:00 p.m. ET)
- Saturday, January 3: Chicago Bulls vs. Charlotte Hornets (8:00 p.m. ET); Miami Heat vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (5:00 p.m. ET); Sioux Falls Skyforce at Iowa Wolves (7:30 p.m. ET)
- Sunday, January 4: New Orleans Pelicans at Miami Heat (6:00 p.m. ET); Oklahoma City Thunder at Phoenix Suns (8:00 p.m. ET); Sioux Falls Skyforce at Iowa Wolves (4:00 p.m. ET)
- Monday, January 5: Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics (7:30 p.m. ET); Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Charlotte Hornets (8:00 p.m. ET)
Players Mentioned
- #10 Julian Reese (Forward, 6'9", Senior)
- #25 Derik Queen (Center, 6'10", Freshman)
As we wrap up this Week 10 rundown, it's clear these Terps are blending seamlessly into the NBA landscape. But what stands out most? Is it Derik's rookie dominance, or perhaps Jahmir's G-League brilliance that hints at untapped potential? Do you believe any of them will become All-Stars, or is the competition too fierce? Share your opinions, agreements, or disagreements in the comments—let's discuss!
