Standout rookie trio in focus when Pelicans visit Kings

Derik Queen, Jeremiah Fears, and Maxime Raynaud look to boost All-Rookie credentials

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Three of the NBA's most productive rookies - Derik Queen of the New Orleans Pelicans, Jeremiah Fears of the Pelicans, and Maxime Raynaud of the Sacramento Kings - will be in the spotlight when the two teams meet on Thursday night. All three players have put up impressive numbers this season and are in contention for spots on the NBA All-Rookie team.

Why it matters

The matchup between the Pelicans and Kings features some of the league's top first-year players, who are vying for individual accolades like the All-Rookie team. Their performances could impact the final voting for those awards.

The details

Queen, the 13th overall pick in the 2025 draft, leads all qualified rookies in rebounds per game (7.2) and is eighth in points per game (12.0). Fears, the 7th overall pick, ranks fifth in scoring (13.3 ppg) and second in steals (1.2 spg). The 7-foot-1 Raynaud, a second-round selection, has recorded a team-high 13 double-doubles and is just behind Queen in rebounds (7.2 rpg) and 11th in scoring (10.7 ppg).

  • The Pelicans and Kings previously met in New Orleans last month, with Fears scoring 20 points off the bench in a 120-94 Pelicans win, while Raynaud had 21 points and 19 rebounds for the Kings.
  • The teams will meet again on April 3 in Sacramento.

The players

Derik Queen

A 13th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft out of Maryland, Queen leads all qualified rookies in rebounds per game (7.2) and is eighth in points per game (12.0).

Jeremiah Fears

The 7th overall pick out of Oklahoma, Fears ranks fifth among rookies in scoring (13.3 ppg) and second in steals (1.2 spg).

Maxime Raynaud

A 7-foot-1 second-round pick (42nd overall) out of Stanford, Raynaud leads all rookies with 13 double-doubles and is just behind Queen in rebounds (7.2 rpg) and 11th in scoring (10.7 ppg).

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What they’re saying

“He's been really good recently. The two Utah games (to start the trip) and then (the Clippers game) -- big shots, big plays. I love to see his growth. He's headed in the right direction.”

— James Borrego, Pelicans coach (statenews.net)

“I think they had 18 offensive rebounds. I don't remember how many second-chance points they got because of that, but quite a lot, so I think that's the game right there.”

— Maxime Raynaud (statenews.net)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This matchup between the Pelicans and Kings features some of the NBA's most promising young talent, with Derik Queen, Jeremiah Fears, and Maxime Raynaud all vying for spots on the All-Rookie team. Their individual performances could have a significant impact on the final voting for those awards.