Case File No. 49: Derik Queen

 

Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images.

Today, I look into the file of Pelicans center/power forward Derik Queen. After getting off to a slow start, at one point in  the season, he looked like a Rookie of the Year candidate until his benching a few months before the end of the season, but looked strong again before the season ended.

Team: New Orleans Pelicans

Position: Center/Power Forward

HT: 6-9 WT: 250

Credentials:

First-team All- Big 10 (2025)

Big Ten Freshman of the Year (2025)

Big Ten All-Freshman Team (2025)

NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2026)

Strengths:

-Good ball handler

-Deceptive when moving with the ball

-Very good passer with good court vision

-Can score in multiple ways

-Has range on his jump shot

-Good rebounder

-Versatile player offensively who fills up a stat sheet

Weaknesses:

-Languid movement, especially on defense

-Looks uninterested and lackadaisical at times

-Show more hustle  defensively

-Undersized center

Final Analysis:

For the most part, Derik had a promising rookie season. He's versatile as a scorer; he can score from the inside and outside, and attacking the basket. He handles the ball well for a big man, and he's a very good passer with timing and anticipation with good court vision.

He has a deceptive way of moving with the ball. In other words, when you look at him, he doesn't look like the type that will get by you, it looks easy to keep him in front of you, but if you blink, the next you know, he's going to the rim to score. He usually filled up the stat sheet across the board when given minutes.

He looks uninterested and lackadaisical at times, especially on the defensive end. There were times where he didn't hustle consistently, and looked as if he was just going through the motions. Although he will get a block or two occasionally--he averaged a shade under a block per game this season--he's not an intimidating shot blocker. From my understanding, this is what led to his benching later in the season. 

Derik's play has drawn comparisons to Nikola Jokic; he has admitted that Nikola is one of the players that he patterns his game after. I can see why those comparisons would be made in terms of being a good ball handler and passer for his position, his versatility as a scorer, and his subtle way of moving with the ball, but he reminds me more of (his team mate) Zion Williamson with more range, but not as explosive. 

Speaking of which, with he and Zion both being undersized, this can cause matchup problems on the defensive end. I think he would better off either as a power forward alongside a better center or as a center alongside a bigger (i.e. taller) power forward.

I also keep in mind that this was his rookie year, so there were going to be some growing pains, but overall, I think he has tons of upside. I definitely see All-NBA potential if he continues to develop and clean up a few things.

Case File No. 48: Mike Santana

 

Photo Source: aol.com.

Today, I uncover the case file of TNA wrestler Mike Santana. He's currently the TNA World Champion in his second reign.

HT: 5-11 WT: 230

Promotion: TNA

Credentials:

TNA World Champion (2x, current)

TNA Tag Team Champion (4x)

Strengths:

-Versatile in-ring performer

-Combination of speed, power, and agility

-Has fan/crowd engagement

-Has some charisma/personality

Weaknesses:

-Too much street life rhetoric on the mic/promos

-Has his moments on the mic, but overall, it could be better

Final Analysis:

Overall, Mike is nearly a complete package. In the ring, he shows a combination of speed, power, grappling, brawling, and high flying ability. He has some charisma and personality; it's not larger-than-life, and it doesn't have to be. What he does works for him. He's a draw with the fans; he has their engagement whether as a face or heel.

He have his moments on the mic, but overall, I'm not a fan of his mic skills. I think he peddles the street life narrative too much in his promos, however, that type of gimmick typically gets over with most fans, so, it is what it is, as that saying goes.

Mike has found a home in TNA, where he has transitioned from a tag team wrestler to main event status, becoming currently on their best wrestlers on the roster. He reminds me of a younger Eddie Kingston, except Mike is faster and more athletic, and I think Eddie is better on the mic. They have a similar wrestling style, and they both do too much with the street life/depression rhetoric. I'm not sure if that's what Mike was going for, but he reminds me a lot of Kingston.

Case File No. 47: Harley Cameron

 

Photo Source: wrestlezone.com.

Today, I uncover the case file of AEW wrestler Harley Cameron, who was one-half of the inaugural AEW Women's Tag Team champions.

HT: 5-8

Promotion: AEW

Credentials:

AEW Women's Tag Team Champion (1)

Strengths:

-Improving in the ring

-A willingness to improve

-Energetic

-Engaging with the audience

Weaknesses:

-Selling and executing moves still needs work

-Botches moves occasionally

-Learn to pace herself during the match

Final Analysis:

While I still think Harley's in-ring skills still needs work, she has come a long way compared to when I first started watching her. I like her effort and willingness to improve and show that she's more than just eye candy, and that goes a long way.

She's energetic...very energetic, and has the attention and appeal of the fans. While her mic skills/promos aren't great, I don't think she's bad in this area, either. I might go as far to say she's a little underrated. I think she's better than some women who have been in the business longer than her. She brings energy and some wordplay in her promos.

While she's improving in these areas, it's not as bad as it once was, her ability to execute and sell moves still needs improvement. She will still botch moves occasionally. Finally, I would say learn to pace herself better in the match, in other words, knowing when to slow it down, and when to turn it up. 

I would like to see what the creative team does with her moving forward because her personality reminds me of another Harley...Harley Quinn. I think that would be a very interesting direction to take her character--except I wouldn't have her dress like Harley Quinn--because I think she can pull it off, and it might help take her character and career to the next level.

I just found out recently that she's been wrestling for about four years, so while she has some experience, her career is still very young. There's definitely something there with Harley, and I would like to see her potential fully materialize.

Case File: No. 46: Thekla

 

Photo Source: thesportster.com.

Today’s file is on the “Toxic Spider” Thekla, who is the leader of the group Triangle of Madness, and currently in her first title reign as the Women’s World Champion after winning the title last week.

 

HT: 5-1

Promotion: AEW

 

Credentials:

AEW Women’s Champion

  

Strengths:

-Vicious streak

-Extremely agile

-Rangy

-Good ring awareness

-Brawler

-Uses her speed to her advantage

 

Weaknesses:

-Dimunitive stature

-Antics can be too much sometimes

-Could add a few more moves

 

 

Final Analysis:

While Thekla has shown some versatility in the ring--I’ve seen some submission and some high flying--the name of her game seems to be brawling. Those hardcore, gimmick matches seem to be her thing. She’s very agile; able to contort her body in ways most couldn’t. She uses her speed and range to get around the ring easily, and she has a good sense of where she is in the ring.

Her mic skills and promos still aren’t the best, but it has improved recently. Due to her small stature, she can easily be overpowered by bigger opponents. I think her antics can be too much at times. She’s a heel, so I get doing what it takes to draw heat, but the constant spitting is just nasty, and she’s not the only wrestler in that company I’ve seen with that apparent spitting habit.

While I’m not expecting her to have the same move set as a wrestler who uses a lot of throws, she could add a few more moves to her arsenal, so to speak. It looks like she’s added a new finisher in the Curb Stomp, although I like her submission finisher better. Either way, it’s better than seeing this itty bitty woman finish her opponents with a spear, especially bigger opponents.

Thekla’s character has picked up momentum the past few months,  and I was thinking that AEW Creative would put the title on her eventually, but I didn’t think she would get the title this soon. However, what’s done is done. Let’s see what she does from here.

 

 

 

 

Case File No.45: Chet Holmgren

Chet Holmgren (7). Photo Credit: Nate Billings/AP.

Today, I look into the file of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren. Note: Like my last post, this is an updated entry from an assignment I did when I took a course for Sports Management Worldwide.

Team: Oklahoma City Thunder

Position: Power Forward/Center

HT: 7-1 WT: 208

Credentials:

NBA Champion (2025)

WCC Freshman of the Year (2022)

First-team All-WCC (2022)

Strengths:

-Can score in different ways

-Very good shooter

-Good ball handler

-Good rebounder

-Makes great use of length as a defender

-Rim protector

-Runs the floor well

-Will battle for rebounds despite his frame

Weaknesses:

-Injury prone

-Light frame, particularly for his height

-Gets overpowered by bigger players

Final Analysis:

Chet is a versatile, two-way player who can play both power forward and center, but I think he's better off as a forward, unless facing a team with a small lineup. He can score facing up or driving to the basket. He will go to the low post occasionally, but facing up is more of his strength. He's a good shooter who typically shoots a high percentage, with range on his shot. He uses his length to his advantage on both ends, particularly on defense.

He's a good, but not a great rebounder. He's a very good rim protector. He will battle in the paint for rebounds, which you wouldn't expect for someone his size.

He's injury prone and he can get overpowered by bigger, stronger players. I remember a play where he was knocked back by a guard driving to the basket, and I don't think he was flopping. I think most of this is due to his lightweight frame. Like most players with his build, he's not the best moving laterally.

Chet has developed into a critical piece to the Thunder's success. Although he has bulked up a little--he was listed at 195 when he was drafted, and now is listed at 208--since he was drafted in 2022, he could stand to continue to develop his strength. I think there's more to his game offensively, but he's the third option at best on this team.

I don't see many glaring holes in Chet's game. I think the main thing for him to work on his strength and conditioning, and continue to develop the skills he already has. Adding some posts moves wouldn't hurt, either. Otherwise, I think he's a really good player with the ceiling to get better.

Case File No. 44: Jabari Smith Jr.

 

Jabari Smith Jr. (10). Photo Credit: Lucas Peltier/ USA Today Sports.

Today, I open the file of Houston Rockets forward,  Jabari Smith Jr. Note: Most of this evaluation is from an assignment I did when I took a course for Sports Management Worldwide in 2022, so some of the analysis and information will be updated.

Team: Houston Rockets

Position: Forward/Center

HT: 6-11 WT: 220

Credentials:

SEC All-Freshman Team (2022)

First-team All-SEC (2022)

NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2023)

Strengths:

-Can score in multiple ways

-Fluid transition from dribble to jump shot

-Good ball handler

-Aggressive when attacking the basket, not afraid of contact

-Two-way player

-Versatile

-Athletic

-Stays with his man defensively; a willing help defender

-Decent shot blocker

-Runs the floor well

Weaknesses:

-Settles for too many jump shots

-Streaky shooter

-Doesn't demonstrate a lot of power in the low post

-Inconsistent rebounder

Final Analysis:

Jabari is a versatile, two-way player who can play multiple positions, who moves almost like a guard. He can score in multiple ways: as a shooter, attacking the basket, and in the low post. He handles the ball well for a big man, and although he's not known to get a lot of assists, in general, he's not a bad passer.

As a defender, he does a good job of using his length and sticking with his man. He's willing to rotate in help/team defense. He's not an intimidating shot blocker, but he does provide some rim protection.

He relies too much on his jump shot, and is a streaky shooter. He doesn't always demonstrate a lot of power in the low post; will settle for a fadeaway or a turnaround at times. I would like to see him go to the low post more. He's a decent rebounder, but I would like to see more consistency in this area, considering his height.

Overall, I like Jabari's game. A player with his size and versatility are hard to come by. He can play from the shooting guard to the center, although I think he's best between the small and power forward positions. While he isn't a lights out shooter, I wouldn't leave him open, either. 

He reminds me a lot of Cliff Robinson in terms of skill set and position versatility. I think he's a good player with the upside to be better than what he is, but he's on a team where, at this point, he's shifting between the third and fourth option. I'm convinced that his full potential, particularly on offense, will show in the right situation.

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Case File No. 43: Kazuchika Okada

 

Photo Credit: AXS TV.

Today, I open the case file of AEW (All-Elite Wrestling) wrestler Kazuchika Okada, who became a mega star in New Japan Pro Wrestling, and is currently AEW's Unified Champion.

HT: 6-3 WT: 236

Promotion: AEW

Credentials:

AEW Unified Champion (current)

AEW Champion (1)

AEW Continental (1)

Continental Classic Winner (2024)

IWGP Heavyweight Champion (7x)

Strengths:

-Combination of size and strength

-Athletic

-Very good in-ring performer

-Great at executing and selling moves

Weaknesses:

-Work on mic skills and promos

-Lack of personality

Final Analysis

I think Okada is close to being a complete package. He has a combination of size and strength; he's more athletic than he looks, has one of the best dropkicks in the business right now. I think the only one with a better dropkick is (fellow AEW wrestler) Kevin Knight, but I digress. A very good in-ring performer who excels at selling moves whether it's performing them or taking them, I rarely, if at all, see him botch anything. 

His mic skills/promos needs work. Although it looks like this has been toned down, but at one point, he would say a few sentences, and then follow it up with "b*tch!" That's not good mic skills; even those who found it funny at first, I'm sure it got tiresome after a while because I don't hear it too much nowadays. I do keep in mind that he's not from this country, so maybe his English isn't that fluent as of yet.

The other thing is working on his personality. It looks like AEW Creative are trying to give him one, but it seems forced versus it happening naturally. Although I think he has more personality than most male Japanese wrestlers I've seen because a lot of them have this stone-faced, dead look/personality.

Although most view Okada as great or elite already, I think he's close to greatness. He's one of the few wrestlers that I view as at least watchable nowadays. Not saying every match is "5 stars," but I can't think of a match I watched with him in it that was boring.

 If he improves on the mic and promos, and continues to work on his personality--I'm not saying he has to be polarizing, but find a way to be interesting and compelling in that area--I think he will eventually make the ranks of the rare elite. By that I mean, overall, because I'm sure he's an icon in Japan.