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New Orleans Pelicans president Joe Dumars said Monday that rookie center Derik Queen is progressing well in his rehabilitation from offseason surgery.
Queen underwent surgery on July 18 to address a torn ligament in his left wrist sustained in the NBA Summer League. He was seen still in a cast during a recent on-court workout at the practice facility in photos posted by the team on social media.
Dumars wasn’t able to provide a specific date when Queen could be cleared to practice without restrictions, but he added that the 13th pick is making daily progress. He and the team are challenging Queen to work on his body during this time.
What we said to him was: ‘Your legs aren’t broken, and so you can run.’ He is so sick of running and riding the bike. I asked him, I said, ‘Do you know who Lance Armstrong is?’ He said, ‘I’ve heard the name before.’ I said, ‘Yeah, you’re going to be Lance Armstrong here on this bike.’ He came back the next day, ‘I know who that is.’ We’ve pushed him about conditioning. You have to get into the best shape possible.
Queen was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year last season at Maryland, averaging 16.5 points, nine rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks. He was also named to the All-Big Ten first team, helping the Terrapins to their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2016.
The 20-year-old logged three appearances with the Pelicans in summer league, averaging 14 points, 11 rebounds, 2.3 assists and one block. He registered a double-double in each appearance, including a 17-point, 10-rebound effort against Portland on July 15.
Queen was initially given a 12-week timetable to be reevaluated following surgery, putting his status for the start of the season in question. For now, he appears to be attacking his rehab so that he can hit the ground running once he receives clearance to play.
“He is right there watching every day,” Dumars said. “You can see over the last several weeks, he is more and more anxious to get out there right now. But until he can get out there, what we’ve emphasized is just get your body in incredible shape. That’ll help you catch up a lot quicker if you’re in great shape.”
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