Queen is widely considered a potential lottery pick in the 2025 NBA draft, and Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman projected him to go fifth overall. Players typically don't resist the NBA overtures when they rank so highly on draft boards.

Although Maryland fans may have felt blindsided, Willard was frequently linked to the role, with the possibility really starting to ramp up during the team's NCAA Tournament run. Maryland's superstar freshman Derik Queen took to X to show his disappointment with the news, using multiple sad emojis in response to the report.

Maryland’s outstanding starting unit — nicknamed the “Crab Five” — is splintering in the wake of Willard’s exit.