Big Easy (Derik Queen nickname on New Orleans Pelicans)

“Big Easy” is a nickname of New Orleans, Louisiana. New Orleans Pelicans basketball player Derik Queen was nicknamed “Big Easy” during his rookie season in 2025. The nickname was applied because of Queen’s “big” size (6’9”) and his smooth, “easy” style of play.
 
Derik Queen had also been called “DQ” (as in “Dairy Queen”), and there was some debate if his nickname would be the “Big Blizzard” (after Dairy Queen’s frozen dessert called “Blizzard’).
 
“Queen in the Big Easy is a tremendous personality fit” was posted on X/Twitter by Aaron Oster on June 25, 2025, immediately after he was drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans. “The Big Easy is by far the most elite nickname that I’ve seen somebody give him” was posted on X/Twitter by GETLIKECOOP on November 7, 2025. “Make sure yall credit @jarrettreed_ with calling Queen the big easy. Circa 6/25/25” was posted on X/Twitter by Not Demarcus Cousins on November 9, 2025. “Big Easy or (Big) Blizzard? We need to be unified on this nickname” was posted on X/Twitter by Boppa 🧟‍♂️ on November 13, 2025. “The Big Easy? The Big Blizzard? Derik Queen has finally spoken”—he chose “The Big Easy” in the short video—was posted on X/Twitter by New Orleans Pelicans on November 13, 2025.
 
   
Wikipedia: Derik Queen
Derik Emanuel Queen (born December 27, 2004) is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Maryland Terrapins. He was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2024 class. He was drafted 13th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2025 NBA draft.
 
X/Twitter
Aaron Oster
@TheAOster
Queen in the Big Easy is a tremendous personality fit.
Quote
Matt Norlander
@MattNorlander
Jun 25
News: The New Orleans Pelicans are selecting Maryland’s Derik Queen at No. 13, source tells @CBSSports.
9:37 PM · Jun 25, 2025
 
X/Twitter
‘Tis I, HIM!
@TheGAWDofTweets
Fears and Queen hooping together in the Big Easy… 😮‍💨
9:38 PM · Jun 25, 2025
         
X/Twitter
GETLIKECOOP
@cooptoth3hoop
The Big Easy is by far the most elite nickname that I’ve seen somebody give him
Quote
Brett Usher
@UsherNBA
Nov 7
Derik Queen highlights (first 8 games)
0:05 / 4:10
2:36 PM · Nov 7, 2025
 
X/Twitter
GETLIKECOOP
@cooptoth3hoop
If that was you that gave Derik Queen that “The Big Easy” nickname then you’re a mastermind
Quote
5 @jarrettreed_
Nov 7
You’re welcome 🤝🏾 x.com/cooptoth3hoop/…
7:47 PM · Nov 7, 2025
 
X/Twitter
I Dunc-I Rob-I Sin
@ItcouldbeJ
“The big easy” being Derik Queen nickname is 🔥🔥🔥
It fits him so well.
1:17 AM · Nov 9, 2025
 
X/Twitter
Not Demarcus Cousins
@Lito_TheGawd
Make sure yall credit @jarrettreed_ with calling Queen the big easy. Circa 6/25/25
7:08 PM · Nov 9, 2025
 
X/Twitter
Mike Cyprien
@CoachCyp_NOLA
S/O to Derik Queen & his new nickname “Big Easy” but I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge @BigEasyLofton
Nate Lofton rocked the name 1st when he played for the Globetrotters. He’s also from the Melph, walking distance from the Blender.
7:29 PM · Nov 9, 2025
 
Bluesky
Lovingsquad
‪@lovingsquadstore.bsky.social‬
NOLA style—Derik Queen, Pelicans rising. Embrace big easy energy and wear hoops pride. 
Get It Now: lovingsquad.com/product/the-... 
#Pelicans #DerikQueen #NBALife #NOLAHoops #Lovingsquad
November 11, 2025 at 9:33 PM
 
X/Twitter
🇬🇹⚜️
@saraodette
The Big Easy aka DQ aka Derik Queen got 26-7-4 and that’s my player of the game.
10:24 PM · Nov 12, 2025
   
X/Twitter
One Of The Silent Few
@SteelCity210
I like the name Big Easy for Derik Queen. His game looks easy like Sunday morning. Notice I said it looks easy the kid got game, he make it look easy. Now we need to nourish it. Let’s build around him and Jeremiah Fears. We got the shooters in Trey, Bey, Herb, Jose, Poole etc.
8:01 AM · Nov 13, 2025
 
X/Twitter
Boppa 🧟‍♂️
@ihatebbls
Big Easy or (Big) Blizzard? We need to be unified on this nickname
10:44 AM · Nov 13, 2025
 
X/Twitter
One Of The Silent Few
@SteelCity210
Queen is Big Easy in the real Big Easy. Not too many people remember that’s Sam Perkins nickname anyway.
11:34 AM · Nov 13, 2025
   
X/Twitter
just khari
@kharibelitt
dairy queen brudda 😭 The Big Easy sounds so much better
12:26 PM · Nov 13, 2025
 
X/Twitter
just khari
@kharibelitt
but the way he plays is perfect for being called The Big Easy. i just don’t really like nicknaming him after a food place 😂 sponsorship deals would obviously be there but going for that feels like forcing it.
12:39 PM · Nov 13, 2025
 
X/Twitter
Dickus Du Pleasis
@TopOfTheKeysus
As a Maryland basketball fan how is it not The Blizzard, his name is literally Dairy Queen. If you want a better reason, it’s cause his game is so cold/icy/whatever. Big Easy is lazy
4:27 PM · Nov 13, 2025
 
X/Twitter
New Orleans Pelicans
@PelicansNBA
The Big Easy? The Big Blizzard? Derik Queen has finally spoken.
#Pelicans |
@SeatGeek
0:07 / 0:29
6:15 PM · Nov 13, 2025
 
X/Twitter
GETLIKECOOP
@cooptoth3hoop
Derik Queen has stamped The Big Easy over The Blizzard
Quote
New Orleans Pelicans
@PelicansNBA
23h
The Big Easy? The Big Blizzard? Derik Queen has finally spoken.
#Pelicans | @SeatGeek
0:03 / 0:29
Last edited
6:36 PM · Nov 13, 2025
 
X/Twitter
thyds
@MM_CODED
Dairy queen is corny. Big blizzard is ok but kinda generic. The ice cream man is ok. The big easy makes the most sense, sounds the best, catchier than everything else. The big easy aka the ice cream man. Both have relevance to the city and are a play on his play style
11:08 PM · Nov 13, 2025
 
X/Twitter
One Of The Silent Few
@SteelCity210
The Big Easy, Derik Queen approved
8:49 AM · Nov 14, 2025
· 
X/Twitter
Impromptu Moniker Two
@aDankCajun
His attitude is definitely “Big Easy” just like Ed Reed fit right in in Baltimore. Derik Queen fits right in New Orleans
12:42 PM · Nov 14, 2025