NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing 5-star C Derik Queen top 4 teams
Five-star NCAA Basketball prospect Derik Queen is now down to four big-name options. Which of them makes the most sense from a roster standpoint?
Among the 5-star centers in the 2024 NCAA Basketball recruiting class is Derik Queen, a consensus top-20 prospect who separates himself from other bigs with his all-around offensive skill that doesn’t revolve around just dunking and rim-running. The 6’10 big man can shoot the ball and operate with the ball in his hands.
Queen, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, is now reportedly down to just four options in the mix. And a possible decision could be coming within weeks. Here’s a closer look at how he fits with each of them.
Houston Cougars
Coach Kelvin Sampson had great success with last year’s five-star forward, Jarace Walker. There’s an even bigger need for a star big man now, with the program in the Big 12. The team does have junior Ja’Vier Francis and top-100 freshman Jacob McFarland but Queen would definitely be an offensive upgrade over either of them. The team could use him in the new era of being in an elite basketball conference.
Indiana Hoosiers
To replace star big man Trayce Jackson-Davis this offseason was Kel’el Ware, a transfer from Oregon and a former five-star big man in his own right. There have been talks about him possibility going pro if he has a big sophomore year and that could happen. In order for it to make sense to add Queen in the 2024 class, that would have to occur. Because it’s doubtful Queen is coming in to be a clear backup to someone.
Kansas Jayhawks
The Jayhawks already have a top-5 recruiting class for 2024, led by five-star and top-10 center commit, Flory Bidunga. Even if Michigan transfer Hunter Dickinson is only around for one year, there’s still the issue for Binduga for Queen. Although, they’re different players with different skillsets that could theoretically split the 40 minutes at center but Queen very well could have to come off the bench with this option.
Maryland Terrapins
Maryland’s projected starting center is Julian Reese, who does have an extra year of eligibility if he wanted to. However, the Terps could play both Reese and Queen together in the frontcourt to make it work, since forward Donta Scott has to leave after this season.
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As the local option, the Terrapins have been viewed as a favorite to land Queen. But Houston could start him out the gate and they’ve become a perennial top-10 NCAA Basketball. Indiana makes sense if Ware isn’t around for long and while Kansas has the worst roster situation, it’s also hard to pass up playing for Coach Bill Self. It’ll be an interesting decision, no matter where he picks.