Peter Dindinger – NMMI Sports Press
Considered to be one of the top basketball players to don a Bronco uniform, Trevelin Queen's time spent at New Mexico Military Institute was just the midway point in his long journey.
Now the Glen Burnie, Md., native has a shot to make one of his dreams become a reality.
Queen has been projected by many media outlets to be selected in the second round of the NBA draft which is scheduled for June 25.
Draftsite.com mock draft projects he will be selected by the Denver Nuggets as the 55th overall pick in the second round while scout.com has Queen going to the Toronto Raptors.
Before arriving at NMMI, Queen attended College of Marion in Kentfield, Calif., during the 2016-2017 season, where he averaged 21.3 points per game after scoring double-digit figures in 13 games played.
Queen had originally decided to attend Prince George's Community College in Largo, Md., before moving to the west coast.
The opportunity to attend NMMI arose when his family persuaded him to go to Roswell. His family members believed it was the best spot for him as the school would help keep him focused and disciplined.
"Turns out it did help me on and off the court. So, I'm glad I did it," Queen said about going to NMMI. "NMMI was pretty much like the midway stop in my journey.
"It was more like my last JUCO. That was the hardest one I went to."
One of the hardest challenges for any student-athlete that arrives at NMMI is adjusting to the demanding military lifestyle.
At first it was hard to get used to the new changes, but Queen persevered and was able to adjust.
"You never know what challenge or adversity you might face throughout that day," he said. "It gave me the strength to be able to overcome anything else that I faced outside of NMMI.
"Being there gave me a whole different type of challenges I've never had before, gave me strength I didn't know I had — definitely opened up my eyes."
Queen went on to average 26 points a game during his sophomore year at NMMI as he started every game for the Broncos during the 2017-2018 season.
Not wasting any time, he dropped 40 points against the Northern New Mexico JV on Nov. 1, 2017 in the season opener. Queen went to score more than 20 points in his next four games.
He scored a season-best 41 points in a 113-109 double overtime loss to New Mexico Junior College three days later.
Queen scored more than 20 points in 17 games while he also recorded four double-doubles.
Ranked fourth in the NJCAA in points per game, Queen shot 49.4 percent from the field and 70.9 percent from the free throw line.
The Broncos finished 18-12 that season and 8-8 in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference.
One big influence during Queen's time at NMMI was former assistant/head coach Ralph Davis.
"He knew when I was there, I wasn't the easiest player to coach," said Queen about Davis. "I wasn't the calmest kid. So, he always made sure I had a good head on my shoulders."
Slated as the eighth best prospect by JUCO Recruiting, Queen initially signed with Division I Western Kentucky University, but in September he changed his decision and left the team.
He joined New Mexico State University where he made an immediate impact playing under current head coach Chris Jans.
Playing in 25 games, Queen was tabbed MVP of the Western Athletic Conference tournament after he scored 27 points in the WAC championship game versus Grand Canyon University on March 16, 2019.
Queen averaged 7.8 points a game as a junior while grabbing 72 rebounds and tallying 25 steals.
The Aggies went 30-5 overall after losing a 78-77 nail biter to Auburn in the first round of the NCAA tourney where Queen scored 14 points.
NMSU had just wrapped up the regular season before the coronavirus pandemic cut its postseason bid short.
The WAC tourney had been canceled and the Aggies went 16-0 in conference and 25-6 overall.
Queen led his squad this past season averaging 13.2 points a game with 45 steals.
Coach Jans and staff helped accelerate Queen and his game.
"When I got there, even in the first two weeks, I felt myself becoming a better player," Queen said. "He (Jans) demands the most out of you on both ends of the court.
"I had to better myself in other categories and other aspects of my game. Within a month or two, my game opened up so much."
Whether it's in the driveway of his home or at a park, Queen has been staying in shape and working on his game.
He's also been taking advantage of virtual training through FaceTime.
With sports at standstill, all Queen can do is prepare for the draft and hope for the best.
"Just staying on the edge of my seat. Making sure I'm staying prepared mentally and physically, just working out at home," he said.
It's unclear which team will land Queen in the draft, but he hopes it's his favorite childhood team — the Boston Celtics.
"Even at the start of my journey, I told my family that is never just for me," Queen said. "There's always been a bigger purpose. Just being able to accomplish that stuff, not just for me, shows them that anybody can do it in this family.
"Anything is possible if they put their mind to it. I just want to be that driving force for my family."