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From Buzzer Beaters to Blizzards: Derik Queen Lands NIL Deal with Dairy Queen

From Buzzer Beaters to Blizzards: Derik Queen Lands NIL Deal with Dairy Queen

College Basketball DraftKings Network

Published:

By: Darian Kelly

After sending Maryland to the Sweet 16 with a cold-blooded buzzer-beater, Derik Queen scooped something even sweeter — a NIL deal with another DQ, Dairy Queen.

Queen was forever immortalized among the Maryland faithful after he banked a fadeaway jumper in the closing seconds of the second half to defeat Colorado State, 72-71, and send Maryland to the Sweet 16 to face Florida. The Terps are 6.5-point underdogs at DraftKings Sportsbook. Queen fully capitalized on the moment and signed a NIL deal with Dairy Queen. Queen will be featured in videos promoting Dairy Queen and the DQ Blizzard as part of the brand partnership. Ahead of their matchup against Florida, Queen appeared in a video promoting a Blizzard with chocolate-dipped pecans and caramel turtle treats, paying homage to Maryland’s turtle mascot. Although the full terms of the partnership have not been released, the deal was facilitated by PlayFly Sports and the One Maryland Collective, according to On3.

Not only did Queen’s buzzer-beater go viral, but what was said in the huddle before the play went down took the internet by storm. In the postgame interview, Maryland head coach Kevin Willard shared that when he asked who wanted the ball for the last shot, Queen replied, ”Give me the MF ball.” When Andy Katz asked Queen where he got the confidence to execute the last-second shot, he replied, “I’m from Baltimore.” Queen has been putting on for Charm City this entire season, leading the Terps in points per game with 16.2 and rebounds with 9.2 per game. He has notched 15 double-doubles so far this season, the most among freshmen nationally. In addition, Queen has earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year, First Team All-Big Ten, and All-Freshman honors, all while also making history as the first Terp named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team.

Darian Kelly

I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.